Númenórean Blood Runs Black Planning/Discussion Thread - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Amanaduial the archer · 01-29-2006, 04:38 PM

...Oh dear. I do apologise.

I am most grateful that Rakin's ships aren't yet destroyed - I mean, y'know, always a good thing that my character remains alive, and somewhat surprising after such a time. Thank you. And sorry: I have been ridiculously busy and haven't had time to make a good enough RPG post.

I'd like to fight, absolutely. Greek fire sounds superbly sneaky, Anguirel - have ourselves a wee bit of that. Archers will also be fine, probably again with fire - the corsairs don't take prisoners. Well. Not for long. Keep trying to stab us in the back when we do, doncha know

My thoughts are this: Rakin will basically still be totally high on the destruction of the village and his newfound power with Sangalazin. He won't be able to resist the oppurtunity to have a go at the Gondorians: he's feeling on top of the world and two of the corsair fleets strongest ships are there. But he isn't entirely careless (pretty close, but not quite), so I reckon they'll attack, do as much damage as possible (probably involving playing with fire - lots of it) - and then attempt to hightail it out of there as soon as possible.

As to how exactly that would be achieved...Broadsides, like you've said, archers being the main offensive to start. Then some foolhardy corsairs, on the other ship (not the Fame and Fortune) swing across and actually board the ship - mistake #1. Rakin is furious, but now what was supposed to be a quick triumphant skirmish before the escaped has became an earnest fight, they're missing say a dozen men between the 2 ships after the townspeople actually put up a fight, and the Fame and Fortune is suddenly in danger. The triumph of the battle is somewhat wearing off, adrenaline of battle is kicking in - and so are the Gondorians as one of them returns the favour by swinging across to the Fame and Fortune - lets have a main character, why not! Which of you 'good guys' fancies a bit of a hero moment and a good battle with Rakin?! Thus chaos and good old fashioned swashbuckling ensues.

Then my plans get altogether more sketchy-bulletpointed...

- Using slightly less than strictly fair techniques (namely, yeah, the greek fire, plus that ruddy great spike on the end of the xebec - can do damage at speed), the Fame and Fortune manages to escape.
. . . . - The other corsair ship gets taken/sunk?
. . . . - We manage to take prisoners? Could be a chance for a little cross-ship interaction? A main character?

- We high-tail it away - Fame and Fortune rather damaged. It also did not escape Rakin's notice that when he was battling away above deck, Sangalazin utterly failed to show. Ooh, tension. Juicy.

- The Gondorians have also sustained some serious damage (and a hostage situation?); they take some time to regroup, then take the trail to Umbar, where the Fame and Fortune, and all its stormy crew, are headed with as much speed as possible - although he wouldn't willingly admit it, Rakin is shaken by the sheer size of the Gondorian fleet, and the fact that the rest of the fleet failed to show. Where were the rest of the ships that Azaryan had supposedly been gathering?
. . . . - I sense a betrayal. Once again, ooh, juicy.
. . . . - Time on both ships as they make for Umbar, character interaction yadda yadda yadda.

- Gondor-corsairs showdown before we get to Umbar or after they reach Umbar?
. . . . - Corsair backup? Lets get a full scale sea-battle going...
. . . . . . . - Rakin summons as much backup as he can from Umbar, the corsair ships gather. He doesn't immediately mention his agreement with Azaryan - but some of the minor lords do. The realisation that Azaryan has died while h Rakin surfaces - and suspicion immediately falls upon Rakin. After all, who would suspect Sangalazin of killing his own cousin, the one who he needed to rule beside him?
. . . . . . . . . . . - As the corsair troops gather and take to sea, Rakin faces his own showdown back at Umbar as Sangalazin double crosses him and denies all knowledge of the plot against Azaryan and his deal with Rakin. Rather sticky situation for the dear ol' Captain.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . - ....I will somehow work out a way to get out of that one. Well, Rakin gets to sea again anyway, even if it's only an escape - and he takes Sangalazin with him (potential for hostage situation #2 because hey, why not)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Sangalazin comes clean and helps him out?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . - If hostage #1 stands, he uses that to bargain himself out?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Battles his way out
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Uses Sangalazin to get out, taking his dear half-brother hostage and getting to the Fame and Fortune for an escape route.

- Sea battle ensues! Or land battle, I guess, through the streets of Umbar. Or, hey, both... The corsairs have all their power out, but its at late notice: the Gondorians were ready. Fame and Fortune is one of the heading forces of the battle, but then...
. . . . - Slave revolt? The thought still stands...
. . . . - Sangalazin will either try to double-cross Rakin or vice versa. I seriously doubt both, if either, of them are gonna come out of this alive.

...and through this longwinded series of events (told from the corsair sides, sorry, but Gondorians will of course be fleshing out from their side and I'll not speculate from both sides...), Umbar falls.

Whew.

Feel free to add to or discount some of all of that, event just for the pure incomprehensibility. Thoughts? Again, my apologies for my absense...

Alcarillo · 01-29-2006, 08:07 PM

Great plans!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aman

- Using slightly less than strictly fair techniques (namely, yeah, the greek fire, plus that ruddy great spike on the end of the xebec - can do damage at speed), the Fame and Fortune manages to escape.
. . . . - The other corsair ship gets taken/sunk?
. . . . - We manage to take prisoners? Could be a chance for a little cross-ship interaction? A main character?

I've spoken about that last part with the Gondorians through PMs. My idea is this: a slave is captured (or rescued, however you like to put it) from the Fame and Fortune and is kept aboard the Raca. Curamir is sent to ask the slave questions about the corsairs, and ends up finding out that his father, Ferethor, is still alive and is aboard the Fame and Fortune. That way, Curamir knows his dad is still living and the story gains a twist of longing, hope, and reunion.

What do you Corsairs think of this? Plausible?

Anguirel · 01-30-2006, 01:36 AM

Yes. Absolutely plausible.

While Sangalazin certainly won't himself swashbuckle, Aman, you may or may not have noticed that some of the Black Guard, led by Andlang, are getting dissatisfied. Andlang will lead the fifteen Guards who had to stay behind last time to do some killing.

I also have a vague idea about Andlang nicking Sangalazin's royal, never-used longsword and giving it to Rakin, whether for use or just as a symbol.

Folwren · 01-31-2006, 09:50 AM

Haven't read Aman's full post, but wanted to say real quick -

Go right ahead, everyone, start writing about what you're planning for.

-- Folwren

Folwren · 01-31-2006, 12:24 PM

Alright, I am back with more time and finally able to make a proper reply to several things that have been said earlier.

I finally got around to reading that link on Greek Fire. . .it took a miserably long time to get aroudn to it, I know, but that can't be helped. I don't quite understand - was the stuff unquenchable? I don't like the idea of having my ship burned from beneath me. I don't mind flaming arrows, those are quite reasonable, but the Greek Fire sounded formidable, to say the least. We can do something like, but can't it please be something that we can at least put out when it catches on fire?

Quote:

Originally posted by Aman:
The triumph of the battle is somewhat wearing off, adrenaline of battle is kicking in - and so are the Gondorians as one of them returns the favour by swinging across to the Fame and Fortune - lets have a main character, why not! Which of you 'good guys' fancies a bit of a hero moment and a good battle with Rakin?! Thus chaos and good old fashioned swashbuckling ensues.

I have my doubts about any of the Gondorian ships fighting hand to hand with The Fame and Fortune. I'd be just fine with the idea, if you could think of a way your ship could escape after being boarded. That's what it would take, I think, for one of the main characters from one of our ships to board and fight with Rakin. I think that the Corsair ships would have the best chance, in this battle, if they weren't linked to any Gondorian ship. Generally, when two ships are brought side by side, and one crew boards the other, the battle is fought out, and one or the other comes out the winner. . .
I don't mean to shatter any of your ideas or your excitement, but I don't see how it's possible. We can fight with the other Corsair ships (the ones who's foolhardy sailors decided to get too close to our ships and try to board one or two of them), and we can even fight with Fame and Fortune, exchanging a few blows from a distance, but I don't think it's possible for anyone to get close enough to board her.

I don't know if I'm making any sense. To myself, I seem to be rambling.

Okay, here, I think it will work if, as Aman said, the Corsair ships run in and do a bit of damage to us Gondorians. We'll be half expecting that, because that's how Corsairs act - flirting with danger and what not, attacking first, instead of running right away. . .

And then they can attempt to make their retreat. We manage to catch two or maybe even a third of your four ships (Fame and Fortune is included in there) and we give whatever we catch a good working over, so to speak, while Fame and Fortune and possibly the last Corsair flee down river. Those ships that we catch and board, we'll be able to take prisoners/free slaves as necessary for the story. The Raca can even be one of the Gondorian ships that boards a Corsair. Or, to get really overwhelmed, and since we do have rather many ships, there could even be two Gondorian ships connected to a poor Corsair at once.

With all your fire damage done, and maybe even some ramming, we'll have to stop at Pelargir and do the best we can with repairs, and help the city get back on her feet after the attack. In a week, hopefully, we'll be well on our way, though, fully repaired and prepared, once again for battle.

Does that cover everything? If anyone would like to add anythign or disagree or whatever, go right ahead.

-- Folwren

Anguirel · 01-31-2006, 12:48 PM

Greek fire burnt until it had worn itself out. Water had no effect on it it.

It was also psychologically damaging because enemies would hesitate on seeing its siphons.

Its only disadvantage was its fickleness-it sometimes set fire to ships on the same side as those firing it.

However, I think it would be a really nifty addition. It would stop the Gondorians from crushing us at once by superior numbers, and it could initiate some boarding action with Gondorians desperately swashbuckling across in order to silence the siphoners.

Its technological/chemical nature also makes it a suitable weapon for Tolkien villains. It'll be suspenseful reading in the RP...can our heroes silence the gunners? When are the flames going to stop? Oh, wow, it's been plastered across one of the Corsairs' own vessels!

About the boarding/slave freeing-all of the slaves in play are on the Fame and Fortune, so it needs to be boarded, or at least approached very closely, if some slaves are to be freed. Perhaps the Raca could come close, fighters on both sides swing across, a few slaves slip through the chaos, and then our xebec bring out the big guns-the fire siphons-causing theRaca to beat a hasty retreat?

In other words, to advance the slave plot and the soldier plot this may have to be an exception to your "generally"-the story put slightly ahead of the realism.

Or we could just cut that, but then I don't see how the Ferethor thing will ever be resolved...

Folwren · 01-31-2006, 01:02 PM

What you just said makes sense, I think. I apologize for being pushy and too realistic in this case. I know that Alcarillo and the others on the Raca want this Ferethor thing to work, and you Corsairs were desperately excited about the Greek Fire and fighting itself. I'm not about to squash too many people's toes to make me happy, and I'm open, too. . .so let's do what you think best.

-- Folwren

01-30-2006, 01:36 AM	#3
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	Yes. Absolutely plausible. While Sangalazin certainly won't himself swashbuckle, Aman, you may or may not have noticed that some of the Black Guard, led by Andlang, are getting dissatisfied. Andlang will lead the fifteen Guards who had to stay behind last time to do some killing. I also have a vague idea about Andlang nicking Sangalazin's royal, never-used longsword and giving it to Rakin, whether for use or just as a symbol. __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

01-31-2006, 09:50 AM	#4
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Haven't read Aman's full post, but wanted to say real quick - Go right ahead, everyone, start writing about what you're planning for. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

01-31-2006, 12:48 PM	#6
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	Greek fire burnt until it had worn itself out. Water had no effect on it it. It was also psychologically damaging because enemies would hesitate on seeing its siphons. Its only disadvantage was its fickleness-it sometimes set fire to ships on the same side as those firing it. However, I think it would be a really nifty addition. It would stop the Gondorians from crushing us at once by superior numbers, and it could initiate some boarding action with Gondorians desperately swashbuckling across in order to silence the siphoners. Its technological/chemical nature also makes it a suitable weapon for Tolkien villains. It'll be suspenseful reading in the RP...can our heroes silence the gunners? When are the flames going to stop? Oh, wow, it's been plastered across one of the Corsairs' own vessels! About the boarding/slave freeing-all of the slaves in play are on the Fame and Fortune, so it needs to be boarded, or at least approached very closely, if some slaves are to be freed. Perhaps the Raca could come close, fighters on both sides swing across, a few slaves slip through the chaos, and then our xebec bring out the big guns-the fire siphons-causing theRaca to beat a hasty retreat? In other words, to advance the slave plot and the soldier plot this may have to be an exception to your "generally"-the story put slightly ahead of the realism. Or we could just cut that, but then I don't see how the Ferethor thing will ever be resolved... __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

01-31-2006, 01:02 PM	#7
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	What you just said makes sense, I think. I apologize for being pushy and too realistic in this case. I know that Alcarillo and the others on the Raca want this Ferethor thing to work, and you Corsairs were desperately excited about the Greek Fire and fighting itself. I'm not about to squash too many people's toes to make me happy, and I'm open, too. . .so let's do what you think best. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

01-29-2006, 04:38 PM	#1
Amanaduial the archer Shadow of Starlight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: dancing among the ledgerlines... Posts: 2,347	...Oh dear. I do apologise. I am most grateful that Rakin's ships aren't yet destroyed - I mean, y'know, always a good thing that my character remains alive, and somewhat surprising after such a time. Thank you. And sorry: I have been ridiculously busy and haven't had time to make a good enough RPG post. I'd like to fight, absolutely. Greek fire sounds superbly sneaky, Anguirel - have ourselves a wee bit of that. Archers will also be fine, probably again with fire - the corsairs don't take prisoners. Well. Not for long. Keep trying to stab us in the back when we do, doncha know My thoughts are this: Rakin will basically still be totally high on the destruction of the village and his newfound power with Sangalazin. He won't be able to resist the oppurtunity to have a go at the Gondorians: he's feeling on top of the world and two of the corsair fleets strongest ships are there. But he isn't entirely careless (pretty close, but not quite), so I reckon they'll attack, do as much damage as possible (probably involving playing with fire - lots of it) - and then attempt to hightail it out of there as soon as possible. As to how exactly that would be achieved...Broadsides, like you've said, archers being the main offensive to start. Then some foolhardy corsairs, on the other ship (not the Fame and Fortune) swing across and actually board the ship - mistake #1. Rakin is furious, but now what was supposed to be a quick triumphant skirmish before the escaped has became an earnest fight, they're missing say a dozen men between the 2 ships after the townspeople actually put up a fight, and the Fame and Fortune is suddenly in danger. The triumph of the battle is somewhat wearing off, adrenaline of battle is kicking in - and so are the Gondorians as one of them returns the favour by swinging across to the Fame and Fortune - lets have a main character, why not! Which of you 'good guys' fancies a bit of a hero moment and a good battle with Rakin?! Thus chaos and good old fashioned swashbuckling ensues. Then my plans get altogether more sketchy-bulletpointed... - Using slightly less than strictly fair techniques (namely, yeah, the greek fire, plus that ruddy great spike on the end of the xebec - can do damage at speed), the Fame and Fortune manages to escape. . . . . - The other corsair ship gets taken/sunk? . . . . - We manage to take prisoners? Could be a chance for a little cross-ship interaction? A main character? - We high-tail it away - Fame and Fortune rather damaged. It also did not escape Rakin's notice that when he was battling away above deck, Sangalazin utterly failed to show. Ooh, tension. Juicy. - The Gondorians have also sustained some serious damage (and a hostage situation?); they take some time to regroup, then take the trail to Umbar, where the Fame and Fortune, and all its stormy crew, are headed with as much speed as possible - although he wouldn't willingly admit it, Rakin is shaken by the sheer size of the Gondorian fleet, and the fact that the rest of the fleet failed to show. Where were the rest of the ships that Azaryan had supposedly been gathering? . . . . - I sense a betrayal. Once again, ooh, juicy. . . . . - Time on both ships as they make for Umbar, character interaction yadda yadda yadda. - Gondor-corsairs showdown before we get to Umbar or after they reach Umbar? . . . . - Corsair backup? Lets get a full scale sea-battle going... . . . . . . . - Rakin summons as much backup as he can from Umbar, the corsair ships gather. He doesn't immediately mention his agreement with Azaryan - but some of the minor lords do. The realisation that Azaryan has died while h Rakin surfaces - and suspicion immediately falls upon Rakin. After all, who would suspect Sangalazin of killing his own cousin, the one who he needed to rule beside him? . . . . . . . . . . . - As the corsair troops gather and take to sea, Rakin faces his own showdown back at Umbar as Sangalazin double crosses him and denies all knowledge of the plot against Azaryan and his deal with Rakin. Rather sticky situation for the dear ol' Captain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - ....I will somehow work out a way to get out of that one. Well, Rakin gets to sea again anyway, even if it's only an escape - and he takes Sangalazin with him (potential for hostage situation #2 because hey, why not) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Sangalazin comes clean and helps him out? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - If hostage #1 stands, he uses that to bargain himself out? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Battles his way out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Uses Sangalazin to get out, taking his dear half-brother hostage and getting to the Fame and Fortune for an escape route. - Sea battle ensues! Or land battle, I guess, through the streets of Umbar. Or, hey, both... The corsairs have all their power out, but its at late notice: the Gondorians were ready. Fame and Fortune is one of the heading forces of the battle, but then... . . . . - Slave revolt? The thought still stands... . . . . - Sangalazin will either try to double-cross Rakin or vice versa. I seriously doubt both, if either, of them are gonna come out of this alive. ...and through this longwinded series of events (told from the corsair sides, sorry, but Gondorians will of course be fleshing out from their side and I'll not speculate from both sides...), Umbar falls. Whew. Feel free to add to or discount some of all of that, event just for the pure incomprehensibility. Thoughts? Again, my apologies for my absense... __________________ I am what I was, a harmless little devil Last edited by Amanaduial the archer; 01-29-2006 at 04:42 PM.