The future of the Pirates of Meropis?

Jinsun

I love that everyone's suggestion is "use the gold that you and others accumulated (almost exclusively through org contracts because plundering is a joke) to make a cool place for us to play" some of you have worked against pirates and helped it die as an org and even gloated over its demise. You've taken enough from those of us who tried to give something more to the sea than auto hunting and fishing. We're not giving you a handout with our last breaths. If we or the admin make the hideout public, cool, but just handing in almost a decades worth of work because you finally got the non pk oceans you wanted? Nope.

Siduri

We didn't get the no PK seas we were asking for. We (apparently) got Navies to be relevant again. And yes, gloating in-game is to be expected.

It's okay if you want to pocket whatever is left of the dissolution of the pirates. People here are just saying this would be a missed opportunity to give something meaningful to the game upon disbanding.

You are under no obligation to do anything meaningful with that, however. I mean, you could sit on a useless org's leadership for centuries and reap Honours Lines for it like some do.

Lenn

Org contracts? Like, "we'll pay you to leave us alone" contracts, or something else?

Jinsun

Lenn said:

Org contracts? Like, "we'll pay you to leave us alone" contracts, or something else?

There were a few different permutations were "here's some gold every few years to fuck off" and some were "we'll help you with training and other things if needed too." Some were families some were solo players and the really high dollar ones were houses.

Taleila

Siduri said:

We didn't get the no PK seas we were asking for. We (apparently) got Navies to be relevant again. And yes, gloating in-game is to be expected.

It's okay if you want to pocket whatever is left of the dissolution of the pirates. People here are just saying this would be a missed opportunity to give something meaningful to the game upon disbanding.

You are under no obligation to do anything meaningful with that, however. I mean, you could sit on a useless org's leadership for centuries and reap Honours Lines for it like some do.

This.

Jinsun

We spent the last OOC decade dumping our personal gold and time in and I put most of the contracts and my own ransoms back so we could make custom items and things for the players who sought out the pirates and when I had active support I put some of the gold to those uses. I was trying to find was to use the frankly stupid amount of gold we had. I'm taking some time to focus on a move and some other things and I haven't heard back from the admin. I'll think on what meaningful is, but expending more effort on people who frankly have treated me like shit and what they would enjoy is just not sparking any feel good thoughts or ideas. Anything we do will likely not involve expending that large sum of gold to the benefit of all players. I offered the entire sum on a few occasions for things like no salvage fees anywhere or reduced salvage costs just to make all of this more fun for everyone and was pretty much laughed at for those ideas.

Jinsun

I should probably specify an ooc move.

Cobault

Jinsun said:

We spent the last OOC decade dumping our personal gold and time in and I put most of the contracts and my own ransoms back so we could make custom items and things for the players who sought out the pirates and when I had active support I put some of the gold to those uses. I was trying to find was to use the frankly stupid amount of gold we had. I'm taking some time to focus on a move and some other things and I haven't heard back from the admin. I'll think on what meaningful is, but expending more effort on people who frankly have treated me like shit and what they would enjoy is just not sparking any feel good thoughts or ideas. Anything we do will likely not involve expending that large sum of gold to the benefit of all players. I offered the entire sum on a few occasions for things like no salvage fees anywhere or reduced salvage costs just to make all of this more fun for everyone and was pretty much laughed at for those ideas.

Yeah, it was to my understanding @Zulah put quite a bit of his personal money into PoM back in the day to get the ball rolling on it all. I might be wrong though?
My vote is give it to someone else if you're fed up with it, let someone else take a shot. Shit, if he wants it, pass it back to Zulah. I don't see why it has to die with you just because you're tired of it is all I'm saying.

Tahquil

I'm not sure if it was personal ooc money or, you know, he was just a really good pirate and thief at the time. Remember, Zulah and the admin built Shipwreck Isle way before he had his current ridiculously well-paid job.

Cooper

Zulah has repeatedly claimed to have won multiple billions of gold playing roulette anyway.

Tahquil

That as well.

Morsul

Actually the demise of Pirates means that the city navies can actually fight each other again, instead of banding together to stop a thief organization.

Jinsun

Morsul said:

Actually the demise of Pirates means that the city navies can actually fight each other again, instead of banding together to stop a thief organization.

For the past 6-7 years the most ships the pirates have had on the water was 1-2 at a time. Navies didn't need to band together over 1-2 ships. Navies are irrelevant because pirates exist. They're irrelevant because they're used to raise gold for cities instead of as military orgs. As admiral I was pretty much banned from attacking any ship that didn't attack me first. 

Kresslack

Initially, and for a long time, the PoM was primarily about creating a fun and memorable experience for both the PoM members and those who ended up interacting with them, whether by choice or otherwise. Gold, while great, was always treated (to the best of my recollection) as a secondary pursuit. Honestly the moment it started becoming more about how many ships could be put on the water with just one person crews and beating the chops for gold contracts it started going downhill in my opinion. That's one of the main reasons I got out of it.

As boring as sailing can sometimes be, the most fun I've ever had at sea was with a group of people on a single ship, looking for adventure or a fight, rather than five people on individual ships playing solo-sea simulator. The great thing about in the organisation's earlier days is that Zulah had a nose for adventure, seeking out opportunities that lead to interesting experiences and interactions, whether with other players, or because the admins saw the dedication being put in and created scenarios with tritons and sometimes even triton members of the Order of the Sea. Stuff like that just sorta stopped happening, for a lot of reasons I guess, but I think ultimately that was what did it in the long run.

It went from being this organisation that attracted interested based on the tales that would spread from it's exploits and adventures, to essentially just an extortion/naval pvp racket.

There still aren't really any notable city navies aside from the one Ashtan has had forever, and the one Cyrene has finally, recently established and built up. It would be great to see more of a political seascape, but I don't think that will happen unless some serious changes are made to Seafaring and how it is treated as a pseudo treacherous plane. City navies, even in places like Cyrene, are also one of the least contributing ministries towards the city Treasury. The goal, and sometimes challenge, has always been in making them at the very least self-sustainable to not need to rely on city funding to begin with.

Either way, my biggest point is that essentially I think having an independent, well-knit and small pirate group would be a great thing, but it would likely require genuine independence from city-states and other notable organisations to really make much sense and be sustainable for what it is. Can always let the PoM sit and gather dust until someone gets that spark again to try to do something worthwhile with it.

I mean, the only thing that really passes for pvp on the seas these days is Artanis trying to gank ships while they're seamonster hunting, then running and hopping onto another ship across the continent when people respond. So there's definitely room for improvement.

Zulah

No one owns the PoM no matter how much money or time they spend on it. (Trust me on this)

I know there are people who currently want to be involved in the PoM. It was never a concept that sailed itself though. In the past it had to create its own stories and chase myths made up itself half the time. The excitement and fun came from the RP not the PvP. 

Granted FORCEBOARD was an option then which opened huge RP scenarios. I didn't play when forceboarding was removed but I understand why it was removed.
The removal of forceboard killed most avenues for Pirate RP in Achaea.

Also worth pointing out, while Shipwreck is the only placed currently used, it isn't the only place PoM built.

You say in a soft, mesmerizing voice, "Keelhaul."

A previously concealed opening in the northwest is briefly illuminated by a 

strange light, and you quickly step through.

A dusty room.

Dim light from a single oil lamp barely illuminates the walls of this room, 

which appears to have been unused for some time. A plain table is pushed against

one wall, accompanied by a pair of mismatched chairs, all of which are covered 

by a thick layer of dust. A faint odour of mould permeates the chamber, and the 

floor seems to move as spiders and small insects scurry across it.

You see a single exit leading southeast.

 There will always be parts of it in the land and scrolls providing nice easter eggs for historians.

Jinsun

Zulah said:

No one owns the PoM no matter how much money or time they spend on it. (Trust me on this)

I know there are people who currently want to be involved in the PoM. It was never a concept that sailed itself though. In the past it had to create its own stories and chase myths made up itself half the time. The excitement and fun came from the RP not the PvP. 

Granted FORCEBOARD was an option then which opened huge RP scenarios. I didn't play when forceboarding was removed but I understand why it was removed.
The removal of forceboard killed most avenues for Pirate RP in Achaea.

Also worth pointing out, while Shipwreck is the only placed currently used, it isn't the only place PoM built.

You say in a soft, mesmerizing voice, "Keelhaul."

A previously concealed opening in the northwest is briefly illuminated by a 

strange light, and you quickly step through.

A dusty room.

Dim light from a single oil lamp barely illuminates the walls of this room, 

which appears to have been unused for some time. A plain table is pushed against

one wall, accompanied by a pair of mismatched chairs, all of which are covered 

by a thick layer of dust. A faint odour of mould permeates the chamber, and the 

floor seems to move as spiders and small insects scurry across it.

You see a single exit leading southeast.

 There will always be parts of it in the land and scrolls providing nice easter eggs for historians.

Man the loss of forceboarding was a gut punch. When we had it, we could have meaningful negotiations and talks. Without it, I've had maybe 2 people extend the plank and let me aboard to RP it out.

Tasus

Jinsun said:

Zulah said:

No one owns the PoM no matter how much money or time they spend on it. (Trust me on this)

I know there are people who currently want to be involved in the PoM. It was never a concept that sailed itself though. In the past it had to create its own stories and chase myths made up itself half the time. The excitement and fun came from the RP not the PvP. 

Granted FORCEBOARD was an option then which opened huge RP scenarios. I didn't play when forceboarding was removed but I understand why it was removed.
The removal of forceboard killed most avenues for Pirate RP in Achaea.

Also worth pointing out, while Shipwreck is the only placed currently used, it isn't the only place PoM built.

You say in a soft, mesmerizing voice, "Keelhaul."

A previously concealed opening in the northwest is briefly illuminated by a 

strange light, and you quickly step through.

A dusty room.

Dim light from a single oil lamp barely illuminates the walls of this room, 

which appears to have been unused for some time. A plain table is pushed against

one wall, accompanied by a pair of mismatched chairs, all of which are covered 

by a thick layer of dust. A faint odour of mould permeates the chamber, and the 

floor seems to move as spiders and small insects scurry across it.

You see a single exit leading southeast.

 There will always be parts of it in the land and scrolls providing nice easter eggs for historians.

Man the loss of forceboarding was a gut punch. When we had it, we could have meaningful negotiations and talks. Without it, I've had maybe 2 people extend the plank and let me aboard to RP it out.

This sounds like a fun concept. I didn’t even know this was a thing. 

Jinsun

Tasus said:

Jinsun said:

Zulah said:

No one owns the PoM no matter how much money or time they spend on it. (Trust me on this)

I know there are people who currently want to be involved in the PoM. It was never a concept that sailed itself though. In the past it had to create its own stories and chase myths made up itself half the time. The excitement and fun came from the RP not the PvP. 

Granted FORCEBOARD was an option then which opened huge RP scenarios. I didn't play when forceboarding was removed but I understand why it was removed.
The removal of forceboard killed most avenues for Pirate RP in Achaea.

Also worth pointing out, while Shipwreck is the only placed currently used, it isn't the only place PoM built.

You say in a soft, mesmerizing voice, "Keelhaul."

A previously concealed opening in the northwest is briefly illuminated by a 

strange light, and you quickly step through.

A dusty room.

Dim light from a single oil lamp barely illuminates the walls of this room, 

which appears to have been unused for some time. A plain table is pushed against

one wall, accompanied by a pair of mismatched chairs, all of which are covered 

by a thick layer of dust. A faint odour of mould permeates the chamber, and the 

floor seems to move as spiders and small insects scurry across it.

You see a single exit leading southeast.

 There will always be parts of it in the land and scrolls providing nice easter eggs for historians.

Man the loss of forceboarding was a gut punch. When we had it, we could have meaningful negotiations and talks. Without it, I've had maybe 2 people extend the plank and let me aboard to RP it out.

This sounds like a fun concept. I didn’t even know this was a thing. 

Yeah it's clunky for RP though. You SHIP EXTEND PLANK once grappled then the person has to give you boarding perms. It's dangerous for both parties though. They could withdraw your perms and the swashies would attack and they could try and kill you, you could try to kill them. The excitement is fun and worth it imo, but for most people they stand to lose more if I'm aboard so I get not doing it

Dunn

I stopped even trying to sail when forceboard died. Thanks for the memories @Kinilan

Jinsun

Dunn said:

I stopped even trying to sail when forceboard died. Thanks for the memories @Kinilan

RIP

Tasus

Jinsun said:

Tasus said:

Jinsun said:

Zulah said:

No one owns the PoM no matter how much money or time they spend on it. (Trust me on this)

I know there are people who currently want to be involved in the PoM. It was never a concept that sailed itself though. In the past it had to create its own stories and chase myths made up itself half the time. The excitement and fun came from the RP not the PvP. 

Granted FORCEBOARD was an option then which opened huge RP scenarios. I didn't play when forceboarding was removed but I understand why it was removed.
The removal of forceboard killed most avenues for Pirate RP in Achaea.

Also worth pointing out, while Shipwreck is the only placed currently used, it isn't the only place PoM built.

You say in a soft, mesmerizing voice, "Keelhaul."

A previously concealed opening in the northwest is briefly illuminated by a 

strange light, and you quickly step through.

A dusty room.

Dim light from a single oil lamp barely illuminates the walls of this room, 

which appears to have been unused for some time. A plain table is pushed against

one wall, accompanied by a pair of mismatched chairs, all of which are covered 

by a thick layer of dust. A faint odour of mould permeates the chamber, and the 

floor seems to move as spiders and small insects scurry across it.

You see a single exit leading southeast.

 There will always be parts of it in the land and scrolls providing nice easter eggs for historians.

Man the loss of forceboarding was a gut punch. When we had it, we could have meaningful negotiations and talks. Without it, I've had maybe 2 people extend the plank and let me aboard to RP it out.

This sounds like a fun concept. I didn’t even know this was a thing. 

Yeah it's clunky for RP though. You SHIP EXTEND PLANK once grappled then the person has to give you boarding perms. It's dangerous for both parties though. They could withdraw your perms and the swashies would attack and they could try and kill you, you could try to kill them. The excitement is fun and worth it imo, but for most people they stand to lose more if I'm aboard so I get not doing it

I feel like it’d open up some great RP. I’m definitely down for something like this. It could be fun. 

Mroxyl

Out of curiousity, what if the other person refuses to grant the boarding perms, saying they're not interested in that? As it currently is, anyone who's interested in that experience could set it up with either their pirate or victim to go ahead with it if they can get grapples set.

The only person I've spoken with who's said they were forceboarded also said the pirate went out of their way to make it as bad an experience as possible, so not sure why most people would agree, if they're not interested in sea going conflict scenarios.

Jinsun

Mroxyl said:

Out of curiousity, what if the other person refuses to grant the boarding perms, saying they're not interested in that? As it currently is, anyone who's interested in that experience could set it up with either their pirate or victim to go ahead with it if they can get grapples set.

The only person I've spoken with who's said they were forceboarded also said the pirate went out of their way to make it as bad an experience as possible, so not sure why most people would agree, if they're not interested in sea going conflict scenarios.

The person has to agree. And yeah forceboarding can be awful
if done wrong. Hirst was originally kicked out of pirates the first time for slaughtering a fully trained crew. That's kind of a baseline for pirates- don't just ruin someone's life for your fun

Taraus

knee-jerk:

I haven't really read any of the other posts in this thread, I just wandered in on a whim recently, saw this title, and died a little inside.

Wtf happened?!

Archaeon

Taraus said:

knee-jerk:

I haven't really read any of the other posts in this thread, I just wandered in on a whim recently, saw this title, and died a little inside.

Wtf happened?!

People cry, things get nerfed.

Kresslack

Nothing got nerfed. 

Archaeon

Kresslack said:

Nothing got nerfed. 

ur mom got nerfed

Kresslack

Archaeon said:

Kresslack said:

Nothing got nerfed. 

ur mom got nerfed

Yep, years ago. Hopefully she stays in the ground where she belongs. 

Shimi

Reading through this has made me so sad. The PoM has been such an interesting and integral part of my characters interactions. Jinsun has nearly convinced her on multiple occasions to be a pirate and honestly a big part of what held her back was the group hatred and how heavily people crap on pirates. But at the same time the IDEA of being a lawless swashbuckler is terribly appealing. I feel like if they hadn’t taken out forceboarding, there is no doubt Shimi would be a Pirate now... but the way ship combat works from what I’ve been in, is frustrating now.
Also @Jinsun ! Forever greatful you returned half of what you plundered when I got caught moving someone else’s ship. I was seriously panicking until you gave back half. 

Artanis

Organizational warfare at sea

Everyone of the 'good' side from all the cities and villages stop working together to swamp the PoM

we raid each other, why not sink each other too?

bring the life back to the PoM so people stop calling me a pirate for trying to instigate Org. warfare