Session 0

I like replacing drive with sail. I think I prefer leaving athletics alone and assuming all characters know how to swim. Then roll athletics when performing a difficult swimming feat (swimming in a storm, in heavy armor, for a long distance, etc).

Agreed. We should have some kind of notion of what all the others are playing so we don't step on each other's toes too much, but we don't need to collaborate on all the details.

That sounds good to me.

How does everyone feel about the weapon and armor ratings optional rule?

I don't need weapon and armor ratings, but I'm fine playing with it if that's what we decide.

I like the idea of keeping it small. Like 1 shift for having the guts to wear armor on a ship. And 1 shift for using any weapon. Maybe 2 shifts for a magical weapon. I’ve never used them so no strong opinions on my part.

I don't think it would add much, especially if the numbers are small. Everyone who might need a weapon would presumably have one, so it would likely just be a flat +1 across the board—not very interesting. And if we get magic weapons or armor, modeling that as an aspect or stunt seems more appropriate.

On the subject of weapons, how set are we against cannons? It seems like if we assume that ships have artillery, that adds more options in ship-to-ship combat beyond boarding and fighting hand to hand.

But maybe the idea is that alchemist's fire is meant to take that role in this world.

Ships could also have mangonels to damage each other and ballista to kill opposing forces.

That's possible. Although those are ancient-era weapons. Not the sort of thing I associate with Age of Sail, you know?

I like that idea.

I think they're on my mind because I'm playing in a Starjammer game, and that's what's used in that setting.

We can leave-out weapon and armor ratings. To avoid penalizing characters who wear armor, I might rule that in this setting swimming in armor is not that difficult (could be compelled in difficult swimming situations, but in general you can swim in platemail). How does that sound?

Is everyone reading to start creating characters?

I like the concept, I don't think it's too much for local play. It would make things interesting by having various warlords want him dead.

No weapon and armor ratings sounds fine. I'd like to go with the orc character I described. Do you think he fits in the setting?

I like the character idea.

I think we posted at the same time there.

I'm struggling with my High Concept and Trouble. I want him to have a temper, but I don't know if I want that to be his Trouble. I also don't think I want his heritage to be his Trouble because that would make it more prevalent in the game. I want his High Concept to integrate his noble savage background.

Everything so far sounds good and I'm ready! Will post later this morning with some high concept / character ideas.

Proposed character concept.

Erik "Stormcaller" Drake

High concept: "Vengeful Ex-Slave Stormcaller"

Mechanics: A magic user using the ‘Air’ discipline from the High Fantasy Magic Fate Core rules.

Background: Captured as child by corsairs, Erik saw his parents put to the sword before he was forced into a life of slavery aboard a pirate ship. As he grew older, a kindly fellow-slave named Tobit saw in Erik the spark of magic, and helped Erik kindle the nascent powers. In time, Erik became a wind mage, helpful to speed the travel of ships. In a ship battle, Erik turned on his slave owners and sided with the victim ship, finally finding a path to freedom. Today, Erik sails the seas, his vengeance sworn against all slavers on the high seas.

@Dreamweaver Awesome sauce!