Before the Mast

The post below belongs to the pirate Pedro Santiago, played by James and newly arrived “Before the Mast”. Click the photo in order to read the whole story!

Pedro Santiago was thinking about luck as he lay on the ground. Really, it was all he though about since the pirates ended up on Inagua with a damaged ship. Perhaps the crew tested thir luck too much, he would say to himself. Women on board meant bad luck, at least Pedro was convinced of it. Now, even more than ever. The bandana on his head slightly askew, Pedro adjusted it as his eyes drifted from the blue ocean to his attered boots. He was staring at them with half-closed eyes. He was exhausted. Pedro could feel himself drifting away as he heard the words “gold”.

He heard them again and immediately sprung up. He looked in the direction of the screams and saw Einar with hands full of gold. As he caught up to the group of men talking his eyes widened. “Gold?” Pedro breathlessly said in between his boisterous cackling. He eyed the gold as if it was a cooked chicken and he were a starving slave. His mouth was agape as he took handfuls of coins before placing them back. He had to feel them. He repeated the process again.

The gold made him forget about the bad fortune the pirates had encountered. A toothy grin made its way across the spaniard’s face. “Lets divide it up now, come on”, Pedro said, excitement in his shakey tone. He normally kept his cool. This was a special occasion. “Lets not waste time, now, whats my split?”, Pedro said.

sailorgil:” Sailor Gangplank “  …  Splash art from ‘League of Legends’ video game

The post below belongs to our newest member, the pirate Russell Lee Smith, played by Sadie. Click on the shipwreck above to read the whole story!:

At the call of gold the tall and lanky man with long, scruffy dark brown hair rose from underneath a tree where he was pouring ocean water from an old sandy rum bottle, he had found laying on the sandy beach, over his large muscular dog that lay sheltered from the sun under a tree panting desperately from the hot temperature.

Russett looked across at the three men who were obsessing over the silver coins. One of the men seemed very excitable, a bit too excitable in his opinion. Russell rolled his eyes a little but he couldn’t help but join in. He wasn’t so excited about the gold as the others however he understood the importance of gold and when the opportunity arose, he would get his hands on some also.

His clothes were still rather damp, it was a mixture of the water and the fact that he had been sweating so much. It clung tight to him making his figure a little more exposed and his rather swift walk look a bit more awkward. There was nothing worst that wet and sweaty clothes, especially wet clothes made of linen.

“But would the Captain know if some of the gold was missing” he joined in as he came to a pause only half a meter away and studied the coins within Einar’s hand for a brief second before glancing up and looking around at everyone.

He put one hand on his hip and looked at them. He avoided looking at the coins in order to attempt to seem like he wasn’t at all interested in the coins, really he was and it was obvious as he was a pirate but he didn’t want to show it.

“Gold is never shared equally, would it be so bad if the gold didn’t reach the Captain?” he commented and tilted his head to the side a little. He glanced at Nails knowing that he would more than likely protest against his opinion.

Stepping back a little knowing that more people would soon be gathered around them, he didn’t want to be caught in the middle of the crowd although nor did he want to be left out. Relaxing his arm to his side once again he looked at the coin in Nails hand.

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(Source: mortisia)

“It is a long name, indeed, but a very dignified one. He’ll grow into it!” Why, with a name like that one would almost think his father was the admiral or something….

And Esther gulped. She knew Celestine knew Lucia pretty well, therefore she might have an idea…. The admiral! The poor little girl, no wonder….

Esther knew now wasn’t the time to discuss it, but she would like to find out what Celestine knew concerning this incident. And whenever Esther De Garmeaux wanted to find out something, sooner or later, she usually did.

begrudge the midwife a penny; Celestine was glad to help, and that mother and baby were both well. Too many were lost for want of help when it was needed. The basement of the church was hardly an ideal place, but better than giving birth in a shed or a field, as many did. “It is a good name, Lucia. I am sure he will grow in to it.” Using the last bit of water to clean her hands, she tried to dry them on her still-damp dress before moving to sit at the young mothers side. She pressed a cool palm to the Lucia’s sweat-soaked brow, watching as the midwife made her departure.

She wondered if Madame Garmeaux had noticed how healthy the boy was, for being ‘premature’. No matter. Lucia’s Admiral had given her a living and a name…not his name, but a good name none the less, the name of a grand blanc from the continent, which was more than some could or would do. A name could make all the difference. One could be forgiven a shade of tawny or two in the West Indies if they had the right patron and the right name. Lucia had come out fortunate so far. Celestine knew that the fragile girl loved the man who kept her, and she hoped for Lucia’s sake his interest would last. From what she understood, he was young and unmarried, from a good family, and his career was swiftly on the rise. Such a man would not likely live out the rest of his days in this little corner of the world.

But now was not the time for such thoughts.

“His father will be very proud. You must try to rest p’tite. I think the storm is almost over. Listen to the wind…it’s not howling any longer. And see? We are all safe. God has watched over us today.”

Click on the photo to read the story of the baby born in a church… The quotes above belong to Joelle and Alicia.

(Source: all-things-bright-and-beyootiful)

Meet Maribel Vargas, played by Elena, having Sarita Montiel as a playby! Click on the photo to read her bio, and if you like it, maybe join us as her sister

http://z7.invisionfree.com/BeforeTheMast/index.php?showtopic=3200

Or as a tavern maid in her inn, “Elixir d’Armagnac”:

http://z7.invisionfree.com/BeforeTheMast/index.php?showtopic=1624

seafaringgypsy: Venice, 1897

What happens when two Venetian young women meet in Jamaica? Click on the photo to read the story… and if you like it, join us! They need friends and enemies too!

The happy couple there are William and Julia Webster, played by Mascha and, respectively, Joelle. The quote below belongs to William, who is a British Navy Lieutenant:

(Source: )

Meet Antoine Lemieux, played by MJ, having George Blagden as playby. Click on the photo to read his bio, and if you like it, maybe you join us too! He needs friends and enemies alike, and crewmates…

(Source: mrs-blagden)

This month, the privateer carpenter’s mate Kelly Toibin, played by Dino, has won the spotlight of the month. He is a new addition to our crew, but a well rounded character, making very high quality posts from the start, interested in plotting with many people and quickly getting involved into the most important current plots. Congratulations and looking forward to see what adventures he’s getting into!

As for thread/ quote spotlight, the pirate quartermaster Pieter de Wyntere, played by Jouko, deserves highlighted for the “best at staying in character” quote in “I Owe You A Drink, Pal”:

“But while wigs are silly, I think a gentleman must express his station with his appearance. That is what I am doing here. After all, I am a quartermaster…Oh, but I did not mean to boast… excuse me.”

It is well written, in a way of showing arrogance both in praising himself and badmouthing someone else, and it is very fitted for the haughty former pirate captain who had lost his ship and crew due to bad decisions in his past.

At the beginning of a new year, I am offering my warmest thanks to all the crew of “Before the Mast”, who had been sticking with us and actively writing, so that our story had advanced and our site got the awards it had got during 2012.

Also, a special mention to Clark, for having added his story titled ”Gather round my lasses” in “A whale of a tale” forum. Looking for more contributions from all of you!

Many thanks to Moru, Cyn, Joelle and Wolfy for having “Before the Mast’s” link in their signatures on resource sites, and to MJ for the help with updating the board calendar.

A heartfelt appreciation to the following members of RPG-Directory who have offered their Christmas gift to us by advertising “Before the Mast” in their signatures: Jenny of Fractured, Sharpiefan of Show the Colours, Drae of Sizael, DesR of Falling Upwards, Jkadin of The Shift, Multiplicity of Ira Silenti, Kurai of Hargrove Academy.

All our sister sites, partners and affiliates who have supported us through the year(s) deserve also the warmest thanks.

Click on the photo to read the whole chronicle!

dancingbearrs:Around the World by Renaldy Fernando on Flickr.

(Source: littlings)