Pirate Crew - roles and duties

[Hercules]

This seems an obvious thread to start with. So post your dream crew position now that you have escaped from the strictures of the Unity command structure. If there is a tie for some positions we'll poll.

First decision to think about; is the team leader (Hercules) also the Admiral, Captain, Commander of the Fleet?

That is, who is to be our designated turn player and first officers (deputies)?.

[Makahlua]

I googled the Royal & USNavy's ranks for reference:

British/US (blank=same)
{the Queen maybe? } / Fleet Admiral (wartime only)
Admiral /
Vice-Admiral /
Rear Admiral / RA {upper half}
Commodore / RA {lower half}
Captain/
Commander /
Lieutenant Commander /
Lieutenant /
Sub Lieutenant / Lieutenant (junior grade)
Midshipman / Ensign

I'd suggest Admiral or Commodore for our current 'player'; then you as team leader are Vice Admiral or Captain; the rest of us being Rear Admirals or Commanders. Or maybe I'm following that rank chart too closely Ok, another alternative: teamleader = Commodore, player=Fleet Admiral; everyone else=Vice-Admirals ?

Digging thru the Royal Navy's site - perhaps we should throw the Sea Lord and/or Commander-in-Chief titles in there somewhere? I'll suggest Air Marshal or Wing Commander for out Air Forces leader later on

[johndmuller]

I see us as an alliance of fiercely independent anarchist types, not particularly fond of taking orders from anybody else - like Hell's Angels and/or (Grateful) DeadHeads. We represent the Head Captains of (currently) 5 Pirate Clans, not the various crew members of a single ship. This view would suggest that we are all equal, and that hierarchal structures would be inappropriate, so if there are going to be titles, they should be lateral rather than vertical relationships. We are also kind o crude, so fancy sounding British titles, if we use any, would need to be mispelled, at least, or parodied - like Sea Dog instead of Sea Lord or Cuspidor instead of Commodore.

The suggestion to rotate the various responsibilities such as playing the turn is a good one, say every (5,10 or 20) years at the beginning.

I think that we might want to divide up strategy and decision making along functional lines, such as Colonization, Research, Diplomacy, Military, Treasury, Base Operations, Terraforming.

We could also or alternatively divide things up geographically into zones of authority or by different groups of units as in separate task forces or sub-fleets, or just by Land Operations, Sea Operations and Base Operations.

In any case, the people playing the turns would likely be following general guidelines alread laid out in our general policy and/or detailed plans for each base/unit. They could give everyone else a fixed period of time after the turn is available to make comments/suggestions and then make the moves. If some serious unexpected development occurs, they could email the others for special consultations.

[FlameFlash]

Originally posted by johndmuller
I see us as an alliance of fiercely independent anarchist types, not particularly fond of taking orders from anybody else - like Hell's Angels and/or (Grateful) DeadHeads. We represent the Head Captains of (currently) 5 Pirate Clans, not the various crew members of a single ship. This view would suggest that we are all equal, and that hierarchal structures would be inappropriate, so if there are going to be titles, they should be lateral rather than vertical relationships. We are also kind o crude, so fancy sounding British titles, if we use any, would need to be mispelled, at least, or parodied - like Sea Dog instead of Sea Lord or Cuspidor instead of Commodore.

I like the sound of this. Perhaps we each have a special ship and home base (once we've expanded properly for such, of course.) I can see me sailing the seas in the ship: Valkyrie.

The suggestion to rotate the various responsibilities such as playing the turn is a good one, say every (5,10 or 20) years at the beginning.

Sounds good.

I think that we might want to divide up strategy and decision making along functional lines, such as Colonization, Research, Diplomacy, Military, Treasury, Base Operations, Terraforming.

Well, some of us may have better strengths in some areas than in others in the game. I know I for one would really enjoy the Diplomacy/Colonization element while suck at the Research option.

We could also or alternatively divide things up geographically into zones of authority or by different groups of units as in separate task forces or sub-fleets, or just by Land Operations, Sea Operations and Base Operations.

This would be good when we really start expanding... an easy way to do so would be to add to the base name 'Valkyrie:' for instance for all the bases I command. But early on we should most certainly share in the responsibilities and decision-making.

In any case, the people playing the turns would likely be following general guidelines alread laid out in our general policy and/or detailed plans for each base/unit. They could give everyone else a fixed period of time after the turn is available to make comments/suggestions and then make the moves. If some serious unexpected development occurs, they could email the others for special consultations.

I like that... do we have all of our e-mails posted somewhere so we can each make a quick e-mail group in whatever programs we use? That way each of us can quickly get hold of the others.

IM services would also be a good idea.

[Hercules]

Regions of pirate clan control are fine with me. We'll leave the detail about energy allocation until nearer the time, they are established.

I love the name 'Chartroom' for strategy and tactics, just the sort of appropriate seafaring name I 'd expect.

Now we need a similiar thread name to discuss our diplomacy. We have a number of pirates especially interested in this aspect of the game and I suggest we leave it to them to come forth with a discussion venue.

[foolish_icarus]

At the time I am unable to get the save to work, so I'm not completely sure of what's going on, but that doesn't seem to matter at this time as it looks as if you've got it all under control. Will try to come back with (hopefully) useful suggestions when I get it working


....

if later on we divide up the work I'm willing to do any of it but I don't particularly like doing tedious stuff (is anyone here into that "Ah, if we do a partial hurry for rec tanks then disband the crawler for the tree farm then build the mine two turns after that we come out 2 minerals and an energy ahead..." kind of stuff?)

[johndmuller]

What is the problem with the save files?

I seem to be having minor but annoying problems downloading (if I just click on it, it doesn't work right, but if I Right click on it instead and select save to disk, it works OK).

I think someone else said they were having problems too (FlameFlash perhaps?) and said they were using a Mac.

Do the "linked" saves work better? (the ones in the private forum - stored on Poly's Upload area)?

If necessary, someone who can access them can email them out to those who can't.

[FlameFlash]

No... any of the 'poly downloads I have problems with for some reason... all I get downloaded are the .php codes for directing me to the file... but it's generally in HEX and I don't feel like decoding it to get an URL.

[Atlantian]

Hand me an important title and i'll be happy
something sort of like:
Deepsea biological xenorum reasearcher
Yum!

[johndmuller]

Congratulations Cap'n Atlantian (or is it Cap'n Yum?), you're the new Deepsea Biological Xenorum Reasearcher

Of course, its traditional for newly appointed Pyrocrats to stand the whole crew for a round of the GoodStuff (that would be something other than your latest experimental batch - we can use that in the umbrella drinks for the landlubber tourists).

[Atlantian]

I was thinking about sending the experimental bacth to the hive personally.
Mwahahahahaha

Just to be sure it isn't bad or anything

What a shame...

Oh Well.

[Hercules]

As soon as we contact them in game, that would be a clever gesture.

[ThePlagueRat]

[roleplay]

Ohoi... My name is Pippi, and this is my monkey Nelson. (avatar)
I was the captain on a ship where my crew were all monkeys.
It ran into a cliff and sunk... Luckily, Nelson managed to sneak up on a sealurk and he engaged mind-control. So we rode across the sea until we saw this base, now I am trying to find a new job here.
- Pippi

[/roleplay]

[Hercules]

I suppose its possible to have a monkey on one shoulder and a parrot on the other. A parrot....

Ehem Mr ThePlagueRat (what do people who know you call you anyhow. Thep?
Plague, Oh No!, Banana,) (Clicks, 'vote for xenobanana' comment).

I know you were a tad hungry after the journey on the sealurk, but the parrot's OK isn't it? What did I say, don't eat the parrot. I hope it is just out socialising with the other parrots.


Re Jobs
I am sure we can find you a role in our Green Witch research Inn. We might have to send you on a ship's steering course though.

You aught to learn your sea way code.

[ThePlagueRat]

Yeah, you can call me that if you like.

Uh... I realize now it wasn't a good idea to hire those monkeys as crew members. I did it because they required pay in bananas, instead of those precious energy cells...

I also admit I wanted to chew the head of that parrot, it was chitchattin' directly into my ear, and it drove me crazy, but I taught it some nasty words and released it. That was one dinner less...

[Googlie]

Hmmm - maybe the Parrot could be like an extra radar array on the ship - scouting ahead, and revealing 3 tiles instead of 2

Instead of being free, though, it'd have to cost at least 1 in the "special abilities" list

I wonder oif there's anything in the facedit faction rules to give that abiility to a nautical faction

(.... wanders off to experiment with the parrot.....)

[ThePlagueRat]

Eh... You seem to be member of all the teams googlie. Are you some kind of a referee?

[FlameFlash]

basically...

And that is a cool idea Googlie, how's it going?

[Googlie]

Originally posted by ThePlagueRat
Are you some kind of a referee?

You could say that - I'm the CMN (Creator, Moderator, Narrator)

Essentially, I drew up the map, placed the factions, beefed up the AI and set the passwords - that's the Creator part

Now I just browse each faction's threads to ensure no hanky-panky goes on (like non-official turners playing ahead to see what happens under a different set of movement choices, etc) - that's the Moderator part

The Narrator part of the "job description" isn't much used nowadays. In the very early PBEMs the CMN would post every ten to twenty turns some very basic information - usually in storytelling form - that didn't give too much away. haven't seen that for a couple of years though (too much work, I think)

Anyway - that's me, known to some as GooglieGod - Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent.

GG

[Googlie]

Originally posted by FlameFlash
And that is a cool idea Googlie, how's it going?

Yes, deep penetrating radar can be added to a faction as a faction bonus (but AMA is needed, still, unless it be given that as a free tech)

(I tried using the "user tech" slot to create a weaker AMA - ie just the deep radar - and called it "Parrot Sight", but the faction editor didn't recognize it, and when i manually input it nothing happened.

But I gave the faction a free IoD to act as the parrot - - and with AMA as a free starting tech, it worked

G.

[FlameFlash]

Very cool Googlie!

And I understood about half of that.

[Flubber]

Flubber signing in mateys


I was captain of the sloop Sword-- mounted 12 guns she did . . . but it was attacked by some sort of sea monster --arr- I escaped with a few hands but me proud ship is in the briney blue. I wish to join your band-- Give me a dory and I'll row a patrol to earn me keep. I've put me hands to work and hope for a new ship. Me shipwright figgers a small cutter but I'll need yer help to geive her some teeth. Can ye spare some powder and shot and a few hard biscuits. Oh and the men need their ration of rum.

[johndmuller]

Welcome Aboaard Cap'n Flubber, a Bloodthirsty BlackGuard such as yourself is always welcome in our wee band. Please feel free to introduce us to some of your masterful tactics (to which I can personally attest); our current conservative approach could probably use some of your freebooting flair. The real question is: How do you drink so much of that Yo Ho Ho and still manage to sail so close to the wind?"

[Flubber]

Ahoy cap'n Johnd

I welcomes the chance to hoist a flag alonside yours and share a tot or two of good xenorum. I fears that we have been opponents in other realties , or perhaps that was a drunken dream.

I've also been acquainted with Cap'n Hercules and have heard the name of Cap'n Flameflash. As fer the rest, I musta been sailing different waters than them fellas and don't know 'em yet .. . But if the carousing last night is a sample they seem right good folks. Lots of cold rum and hot wenches made for a great party.

As fer a "freebooting flair" . . . well I do like to take a risk or two if the payoff is big. As for my tactics, my drinking must be impacting me as all I can recall are some hazy images, but it must be a dream as all I can see is me leading some group of plantlovers. Heck it must be a crazy dream-- I remember you as a peacekeeper har har har.

[Atlantian]

If you need some free rum for your men, Flubber, they can try my latest batch, Briney Blue.

(OOC WARNING: I am the deepsea biological xenorum reasearcher. You looked like a free source of Human Testing, so I just couldn't resist)

[Flubber]

Nah

I'll stick with the regular stoff untill youi see how those mutations on your earlier test subjects turn out . . . and not that amber crap you sell the tourists either.

[Hercules]

In accordance with the drunken discussions among the Cap'ns at the Cap'ns table at the start, we be lookin' for the next player Cap'n to succeed Cuspidore BB at some point.

Now when the change over occurs is not a big question for we, whether it be after 10 turns, 15 or 20, just I suppose who be next.

Now I knows ye Pirates be mostly out pillaging and l3wting, but we be needing one of ye one of these days soon to 'person? the helm'. So step ye up if ye wants to be Admirrable for a while.

[johndmuller]

Ahoy Cap'n Hercules, and fellow Brigands.

The Cuspidore is ready to turn over the helm, or not - whatever says the Cap'n's Council. We would suggest that we take the time to formalize some succession process or other to ensure some degree of deliberateness, continuity, consistency, whatever, etc, etc, etc, as contrary as all that stuff may be to our inate barbaric natures - - - or not.

(by way of a suggestion...) My University slave advisor has worked out a highly detailed and more or less reasonable plan of action (he didn't include and fighting or pillaging, however) which operates the faction as a more or less planned economy from now through the establishment of the Land Base on (Henry) Morgan's boot in 2120 (naturally, the Uni influence makes a 10 year plan ). A chart depicting the plan was posted following the 2109 Turn Report here in our current turn thread. We would be happy enough to continue as Cap'n of Fleet Operations (i.e. taking the turns) and following this plan insofar as it remains appropriate as circumstances change, through that period. During this period, we would hope to begin "breaking in" the next Master of the Helm, who would progressively take on more and more of the responsibilities . . . The Cuspidore would then step down, bury some treasure, start building his retirement villa on Morgan's Boot and manage his for-booty commercial interest, the Pirate Maritime System (watch for his ad coming soon in The Shipping News). Should the Cap'n's Council fail to agree on a replacement by 2115, the Cuspidore will Shanghai someone and appoint them hisself - offering them a choice, say between Service and Shark-Bait. In any case, the Cuspidore will retire from active duty on or before the end of 2120, at which time the new C'nFO will begin a 10 year term of Absolute Helmster, followed by the next transition period, and so forth, so long as the tides shall rise and fall.

Anyway, take that idea for what it's worth; as I said up top, I'll do whatever the Cap'n's Council thinks best.

[johndmuller]

Extraneous post - Hit reply with quote instead of edit when trying to fix my italics above.

[Hercules]

And a big hearty welcome to Mark123jensen and possibly Nax.

I hope some of the old hands here will explain the ropes to our new pirates. And of course the taverns and inns.