Curse the Wind! :: Tale of Dermid Gavin

The Tale of Dermid Gavin who has returned from a trip to the Antilles. He left the Albatross two weeks prior just a storm began to bring rain and wind out of the East.

*Nearly two weeks to the day, Dermid staggers back onto the shore just a few miles southwest of the Albatross. Slowly, he half-stumbles his way back to the comforts that he now wishes that he had never left.

He enters the Albatross and falls into a small cot tucked behind the old bar. At first glance there is little doubt that something has gone terribly amiss upon his journey. He has lost some 20 pounds and is but a shadow of his former self. The once relatively nice attair and polished appearance has been stripped from him and now something just before death’s doorstep lies nearly motionless behind the bar.

As he has often done over his years within the Albatross, Willem McDough is quick to offer what support and care he can for the man he often calls son. Within a short few hours, the initial exhaustion of relief at reaching familiar and stable ground begins to fade, and while still appearing to be a changed person, Dermid begins to recount his tale.*

“Curse the wind!! Curse the waves!! Curse that damned storm!! I probably wasn’t more than a few good hours from here to the south before the wind and rain turned more angry than I can ever remember. At once it seemed that the anger within the deeps rose up and purposefully lashed out at my sole with all of its might. There was little that could be done, I swear.

We attempted to turn and run from the rising beast but it was useless. Downwind the waves simply poured over the stern of boat and within minutes we would have been at the depths of the sea. We tacked into the wind and on the starboard side we held our own. I swear the men fought valiantly for seemingly hours within the darkness of that brutal evening. Certainly there was some damage to the sails and to the framework but it seemed like the worst was behind us and that we would reach safety beyond.

Then came a large bolt of lightening from the sky. Suddenly the darkness faded and a large reef was shown not more than a good throw off the bow. We were heading right towards it leaving us no option but to tack again to larboard. During the tack, the sails were ripped to small shreds wrestling aimlessly within the storm. We were left to the mercy of the sea and storm. Within just a few minutes, darkness overtook the boat as the schooner “Riverside” sunk into the darkness of the angry night sea.

Not a soul…. Not a single soul… the ship… the crew… supplies and timbers…. all taken by the sea for days.

I drifted upon little more than a few boards torn from the hull. Luckily a merchant ship came upon me on the twelfth sunset and offered to carry me back to safety. I don’t think I was more than a just over the horizon but it wasn’t a trip that I could have made without help.

It all now lies in the darkness of the great sea. It is all lost.”

*With that Dermid lays back into the cot and after a few gentle pats by the old barkeep, Dermid drifts off for a nice long nap and some long overdue rest.*

Dermid Gavin :: Account of Recent Days

Dermid Gavin returns to “The Albatross” (tavern for the Highland Confederacy) after an unsuccessful week long search for strong timber. It seems that the lack of strong wood in this region will certainly be a sticking point for his craft.

*Dermid pulls up a chair and finds a small crowd gathered in The Albatross. As usual John More remains more to himself, nearly silent, as he slowly continues his work on ideas for flags and designs for the Highland Confederacy. Dermid peers over his shoulder and slowly peruses the detailed drawings.*

*Slowly lifting his tin from time to time to have a sip of whatever fills his cup this day, it is obvious that Dermid respects the good work being done for the company. Realizing that John is deep at work, he simply proceeds across the bar to the more crowded corner near the fireplace.*

I must say that I’m pleased with our company good friends. Although this land is harsh and I did just spend a full week without finding a single good tree, we have good talents among us and I have little doubt that we can be successful in this land.

*Dermid raises his tin towards the center of the table and gives a quick toast to Hamish, the founding member.*

The Republic of Pirates!

Recently, I’ve finished up the book “The Republic of Pirates”. It presents itself as a historical account of the rise and fall of the age of pirates that spanned the decade from 1715-1725. It has literally serveral hundred or more references and the text itself is littered with quotes from historical documents.

I think I should also set the context for this review of the book. I’m coming at it from the perspective of someone interested in Pirates of the Burning Sea who has very little other knowledge of that era outside of what Disney has provided in recent years and through my childhood adventures on that famous ride (which has always been a favorite of mine). I picked up the book to try and gain insight into that era so that I could enjoy the loosely historically based guild, The Highland Confederacy.

So now that you have a bit of context, I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed the journey. It is, for the most part, a fun tale giving great details into the life and times of 1720’s in the Caribbean. I certain it left me much better equipped to actively participate in our up and coming guild for POTBS. I liken the book to “1776″. From my perspective, I had less context to work within and therefore, the book seemed more segmented and flowed less like a story and more like historical bits and pieces. But I’m honestly not sure if that was due to the difference in context between the two subjects. Not that I’m a revolutionary expert, but history was required in school and the revolution gets more attention than pirates in middle school.

What did I learn?

I left quite shocked at the minute time frame that pirates actually existed in the Caribbean. It certainly made me thankful to be alive today and not 3 centuries ago when life must have been truly brutal for all but a rare few. Supply lines simply didn’t exist and the Caribbean was a brutally harsh environment where many men died. I was surprised to learn the scope of the pirates; going up and down the eastern seaboard of the early United States and their interactions with leaders and governments and their effects on cities as far north as Boston or Maine. The Treaty of Union and the decision over James Stuart not being given the throne seemed pivotal and directly relates to our guild background. All in all, it kept my interest and I learned quite a bit and that is something.

With respect to The Highland Confederacy, I give kudos to Hamish MacBane for establishing the charter in such a way that it ties our little guild to pirates, the French, Spanish, and English through a single event. Further, I think the slant of the guild offers great opportunity for roleplayers to have a huge variety of backgrounds that work within the framework and so I’m more excited than prior to the book. I’d recommend the book to anyone looking for a historical account of the time of pirates and I think most people interested in POTBS pre-release would find it an entertaining way to spend your days until you set sails on the high seas!

Dermid Gavin of The Highland Confederacy

Dermid Gavin recalls the events that brought him to the Caribbean seas in this time of turmoil.

Though memories are faint, if not missing completely, the story goes that my family left for the caribbean from the port of Leith upon the Endeavour when I was not more than 4. We were members of the original 1600 or so Scots that left looking for a better life in the east than what we could find at home. We had high hopes that glory for our country and wealth for ourselves could be found in this new land.

Unfortunately, that optimism was quickly spoilt. Fever, indians, and the lack of British support left our people without hope. Not more than a year later, the original landing was abandoned and the wealthier few returned home. The rest of us scattered about in hopes of simple survival.

My family presented to Port Royal that following year and there my father, representing the ill remaining members, pleaded with the British for help and assistance. That is really my first memory. Not of that event, but of the reaction of my mother when my father returned home that evening.

A short 5 years later, my parents were lost in a fire and I have been forced to find my way on the smaller side streets beyond Port Royal since that time. I made my way aboard a merchant shipt and travelled into French held lands and there I’ve slowly pulled myself up the ladder so to say and now have a plot of land I lay claim to and have acquired a small vessel. I am a merchant and trader and one with a will to live.

~ Dermid Gavin recounts his past ~

Later, he is overheard responding to questions regarding the Treaty of Union

*Tone moves into a clearly agitated state*

It is treaty of oppression from where I sit!

I can’t believe kin would sign such a thing. They claim our failure in New Caledonia was part of the reason, but that just shows ignorance. Hell, I was there and if not for the actions of the British scum, we would have prevailed. Sit back and do nothin and then agree to give it away. Bah!

*takes a large drink of ale, leans back and drifts into his past*

I think it was probably the 9th year before I heard rumblings of agreement. I was still young at age and had just found a home in the The Albatross where Willem McDough had taken me, at least a bit, under his wing. Twas there in that tavern I heard sailors speak of the agreement. Can’t say that a single one thought it was good for Scotland. Merging of two shouldn’t mean losing your voice, you know.

Sad thing is, I think they’re right. Word is they are no better now than before and worse off if you count the lack of say. So for the time being, I don’t see me returning. I’ve got a better chance here to make it on my own and if I can take down the Brits just one step in raising meself up, then that I’ll do!

*Browses his pockets, takes a quick look, then raises his hand and orders yet another round for the table and shouts “Let’s bring one without a hole in bottom this time round!”*

OOC: Dermid Gavin is my anticipated character for Pirates of the Burning Sea. The game is still a ways off in the distance, but nothing wrong with an early start. (It’s also the name of little hobbit burglar now roaming The Shire and Bree, but the two aren’t often seen together.)

Pirates!! Delayed!!

For those that aren’t following Pirates of the Burning Sea pre-release, I think there is some good news and bad news.

Let’s start with the good news first. To me at least, the good news is that they signed with a publisher and I think that is still very much a requirement for a top tier game. I still think a strong shelf presence and marketing is just about mandatory in this day and age. Along those lines, I think it is actually very good that the game is/was close to complete before they signed with the publisher. I think that means the developing company has more say in the game and that should always be a positive.

On the bad side, they pushed the release back so those looking to take to the seas in mid-early summer will be disappointed. The developers stated the main reason is simply to give the publisher time to do everything they need to do to get things in line to have boxes in the store.

All in all, I really think it is good for the game. I’m sure it will afford them time to tweak, and improve, and add features that maybe otherwise wouldn’t have made the release. New company on the MMORGP scene and new approach – I don’t think a few months really will have a negative impact and a good initial release is very important to long-term potential IMO.

I’ve followed the boards and at least in our guild, it HAS taken the wind out of the sails for the moment, but I really see this as a positive and continue to remain excited about this upcoming release.

Link to Developer Article on Delay