Before the Mast

BEFORE THE MAST wants YOU!

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We are open since August 2010 and going strong! And we are writing a swashbuckling adventure story which is waiting for your contribution too. So, join us and let’s write it together, because we are here to stay!

It’s 1719 in the West Indies. War time, and pirates are also on the prowl. Sea fights, duels, plenty of swashbuckling adventures, intrigues of all kinds, mutiny, romance, betrayal - Before the Mast brings to live the Age of Sail like none before. Be ye a pirate, a naval officer, a slave or a lady, you will find a place aboard one of our four ships or live on a paradise island.

There is no Sparrow here, mate. Enjoy our gritty, realistic historical setting if you like learning about those times while getting immersed in weaving our original story.

Come live with us BEFORE THE MAST!

Sharpen your blades, load your guns, drain that last sip of rhum and join our adventures!

(Source: slumd0gbillionaire)

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)

DAIGH EDMUND

1. Tell me something about your family - what do you think about them, your fondest memory of them and how has been your relationship with them?

Me wife… well, she was a poor lass, so I didn’t marry ‘er for the money. Married ‘er for love. Reckon she would’a been better off with another, but ‘tis in the past now. Me daughter, love the lass with m’heart an’ soul. Last I heard she was still a bit miffed at me for headin’ to sea, but she’s a smart lass, she knows ‘er Pa’s got to do it. Favorite mem’ry? The day after me lass was born she an’ her Ma had fallen asleep on the rockin’ chair on the porch waitin’ fer me to come in from the fields. Good day, that ‘un.

2. Which is your favourite possession and why?

Me oilskins. Dead useful in the rain and have kept me old bones from catching my death from the cold many a time.

3. How do you spend your free time?

Ye’ll find me either up in the ‘Shark’s’ rigging, watchin’ the waves or down on the deck, sittin’ back while the young’ns sing and dance. Iffn’ I’m drunk enough, I might even show how a real Irishman’s jig goes.

4. Who was your first love and what happened?

First love? I was naught but a lad, ‘bout twelve years or so, feel fer the neighbor’s daughter. Didn’t know she was betrothed…

5. What are you proudest of?

Me daughter, ‘o course.

6. Which are your goals in life?

*At this, Daigh laughs* Goals? Goals is fer the young, mate. Me, I jus’ want te save a nice chunk for me daughter’s dowry and see ‘er set up in life before some pirate’s blade finds a space ‘twixt me ribs. ‘Course, I wouldn’t mind learnin’ how te do them carvings Neil and some ‘o the others do. Right neat liddle skill, that is.

7. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?

Bein’ a good pa.

8. What do you think of the war going on in the Caribbean?

Don’t much care, ‘long as it keeps on goin’ so’s I can git paid.

9. What do you hope and what do you fear for the future?

Huh. Reckon me answer is the same as it ‘twas fer me goals. So, dyin’ afore I can send my lass on ‘er way.

10. What do you think your greatest weakness is?

I’m old, mate. Me knees creak, me eyesight’ll start t’go afore too much longer and me hands get all stiff when the weather changes. Pick yer fav’rit. Otherwise, I got a soft spot for them young sailors. Got lots ‘o life left, hate t’see ‘em die afore they get a chance to live it.

11. Why have you chosen the sea, first of all? Then why have you chosen to be a privateer and what do you like about your profession? What don’t you like?

Didn’ chose the sea, it choose me. Got caught by a press gang when I was a lad, served in the Navy for many a year, left an’, when landlubbin’ didn’ treat me well, went back to what I knew. Didn’t much care what ship I chose the second time ‘round, could’ve been a merchant or a pirate fer all I cared. ‘Long as I get paid, that’s what counts. I ain’t fond o’ salted meat no more, though I like bein’ fed regular and I hate ships that got unreasonable leadership. But I love the sea, so that tends to trump everythin’ else.

12. When have you been the happiest and why?

Reckon I got me a one track mind. Best time ‘o my life was when me wife an’ daughter an’ I were livin’ on the farm, before it all fell to pieces.

13. What is the thing that has frightened you the most?

When I thought the ‘Fate’s Hand’ mutiny was gonna go sour. Reckoned we all woulda been killed, had that been the case.

14. What is the fondest childhood memory you have?

Comin’ home one day with a sackful of meat pies to divy out ‘twixt me, me pa and me brother. Pa broke out his old fiddle and we sang an’ danced ‘till our eyeballs couldn’t stay open no more.

15. Have you ever had a pet? If yes, tell me about it!

Befriended a seagull once back in me Navy days. ‘E liked to hang about in the riggin’ with me an’ I’d feed him scraps ‘o biscuit. Named ‘im Scrapper because he was missin’ an eye and me an’ the others figured he lost it durin’ a fight over sommat. Followed the ship around fer a year afore a pretty lass seagull caught his eye an’ he flew off with her.

16. What does Thomas do that annoys you?

What don’t she do that annoys me? Fer the most part, though, she needs t’have me talk less. Don’t like to chatter.

17. What characteristic of Thomas’s do you wish you had? *

Daigh snorts* Don’t want any of ‘em!

18. How do you imagine Thomas would fare in your life?

Well, bein’ a female, I don’t think she should be on a ship, but… She’d do alright, I reckon.

Click on the photo to read the whole Chronicle!

THOMAS

1. Give us some loose details about Daigh and how you came up with him, which was his story on the other boards you have written him (if it is the case).

Made him only for BTM, so he doesn’t have a story anywhere else. As for how I came up with him, I just picked a picture and went from there. Photos are worth a thousand words and all that.

2. Do you have a preference for playing a certain type of characters? If so, why is that?

Not really, though they always turn out to be cheerful for some reason… Can’t play the dark and angry types, I get bored with them.

3. Did you find it hard to choose the playby for your character?

Well, that came before the character did, so no. ;P

4. How do you find inspiration to start threads rather than just reply to them? Do you prefer starting or just replying to threads?

My preference is I don’t really care either way. If there’s a thread/story that ought to be started, then I’ll do it. If there’s interesting stuff going on in other threads already, then I’ll reply. As for inspiration, I dunno. I write all by my lonesome, so I’m used to coming up with plot lines and things like that.

5. What does Daigh do to annoy you?

He hums under his breath when he’s working. It drives me insane.

6. Where do you see Daigh in five years (in our story)?

Oh, probably on a ship of some kind, the ‘Twilight Shark’, if it’s still around. He’ll also probably be in a leadership position of some sort, promoted against his will due to his wealth of experience.

7. What characteristic of Daigh ‘s do you wish you had?

The ability not to give a hoot about anything. He’s so mellow sometimes. It makes me jealous.

8. What about Daigh is most similar to you?

We’re both pretty laid back.

9. What has Daigh done that you would never do?

Steal stuff.

10. When and how have you discovered your passion for RPGs?

Years ago when I found out that there were people who liked to collaborate to tell a story. Thought that was pretty cool. ‘Sides, you get to pretend you’re a different person.

11. Tell us one memory or initial impression related to your beginnings on “Before the Mast”. How did it change with the time passing?

“Oh ,dear god, there’s a lot to learn!” Still think that. The 1700s is not a time I know much about, so there’s lots of reading for me to do.

12. How do you usually find your inspiration for characters and plots?

Usually with pictures. I look at a photo and think, “what’s the story behind that?” and go from there.

13. How would you see Daigh if born and raised in our time? What would he be and how would his life be?

He’d probably be a factory worker with a bunch of kids and his wife at home.

14. What would be the perfect gift from you to Daigh?

Gold.

15. What is the most fun thing about Daigh?

They way he talks. It’s always fun to see how much I can butcher up the English language and still be understood (for the most part).

16. Which is your favourite book, or author?

D’you have a few hours? This could take a while…

17. Which are your musical preferences?

Uhh… Rock and pop, for the most part.

18. Why does the past inspire you?

Day to day living back in the day was so cool, but you never hear about it in history classes. They always go on and on about the wars and why this country attacked this country, which I really don’t give a hoot about. So, being able to explore how people’s lives were really like is fun.

Click on the photo to read the whole Chronicle!

(Source: doughnutstime)

The Scribbling Scholar draws the readers’ attention on the effects of the latest hurricane which had affected all the West Indies.

The French-British co-operation got strengthened and the British ship got the needed assistance. Hunting together, both for bigger game and turtles, and exchanging stories and life experiences got for strengthening friendships. One of the British petty officers got the ride of his life, on a turtle’s shell! In the meantime, love stories and helpless jealousies are also developing, when there are ladies aboard…

On the privateer ship, two equally quiet sailors, bound by a promise each, are learning to trust each other. The captain is worried about the ship’s discipline, and after granting well-deserved promotions, Gnawty Ned becomes a legitimate sailor with his place in the ship articles… Would he sign them with his paw mark? However, it seems Little Jack won’t have the same fate…

A certain privateer is now officially the pirate doctor’s apprentice, and his first patient in his new quality was an older sailor.

The tensions between the pirates and privateers escalated during the trip to the lake, with one of the privateers looking for trouble, and later, the same one was nearly shooting dead another pirate. Luckily, the quartermasters were watching over the enforcement of the agreement between the two ship captains, and nothing went too wrong.

The unusual situation of being stranded on Inagua got some long-lost friends reunite, despite the fact that a former pirate had repented in due time and he is now a privateer. In the Man-of-War Bay, though, the French rear-admiral had been seen seeking the company of a British common sailor both on the shore and, later, inviting him to his cabin. He intends digging up a mystery, but… what do the sailors speculate, given that he had been the subject of another scandal six months ago?

Gossipers are everywhere. What have the pirate doctor and her stroll companion found? Is there a treasure too, or should we feel only love in the air? The pirates have speculated enough seeing them leaving together for a walk…

Speaking about all kind of speculations, the friendly teasing between the pirate sailing master and another pirate got public during the last joint expedition between the pirates and the privateers. Some people are wondering what’s happening between them two and what would the sailing master’s new fiancée say about this situation… But the sailing master has another woman in his thoughts now – not as a love interest though; it’s a matter of honour he is trying to solve with the privateers’ help, and this has his fiancee’s full endorsement…

On Inagua, treasures seem to be everywhere, older or newer. It takes, though, some lucky fellows to really find it! The pirate quartermaster, caught in a discussion with his captain, has shown him a Native statue made of stone, while the French Navy master’s mate has given to a lady a gold pendant of the same origin. A French Navy sailor falling from the rigging discovered a shipwreck which treasures got seen, at the same time, by a swimming British Navy sailor. How will the treasure get shared? Another lucky pirate is calling his crewmates after having found a chest with dubloons. Is this a so lucky island?

Witnessing the aftermath of the hurricane on a desert island in the West Indies is thrilling - look out for further news!

Click on the photo to read the whole Chronicle!

(Source: ffffound.com)

Before going to the market place, to hear more of the gossips, the chronicler is letting the readers know the latest news.

In Kingston, a Navy officer recovering after a fever enjoys his days in his wife’s company, while his crewmates are somewhere at sea.

The festival night, a pirate and a French Navy man had been seen discussing peacefully, in French, about engagements and marriages. Why do we know the youngest was a pirate? He had mentioned Tortuga in his words…

A pretended slave is totally into the power of the man who had discovered her secret. Prey to blackmail, she has to accept all his evil ideas, in order not to be publicly shamed… We’d say she had become his personal slave, in a way!

When a French and a British upperclass ladies meet, they find out that one can never have too many friends; therefore, they could dream together about the end of the war and about returning to each other’s mother country for a beautiful trip some day…

At their turn, two working class women befriended each other as well, finding support and encouragement one in the other’s words. The fact that they share a common, far away homeland helped too…

And speaking about foreigners, a Navy sailor and a privateer got caught in a game of faro. Who cheated, and whose girl stole whose heart? These are still to be ascertained, but when a tavern maid meets a man from her own country, it’s sure that her initial companion would get ditched… with all the ensuing consequences.

In Port de Paix, a new noble lady has just arrived. From the start, she gets more thrilled by the encounter with street performers than by the one with the Governor… what would it say about her?

In the tavern Au Gobelet d’Or, an old man and a younger one are talking about vain thoughts of revenge, broken hearts and dead loves upon a mug of cider and a bowl with stew… Are these enough to soothe a troubled mind?

A servant kicked out of her master’s home gets a chance as the helper of a leaf doctor, who is fighting to save lives in a makeshift hospital which appeared in town due to the epidemic’s requirements. And given that the yellow flag is hoisted above the Harbour Master’s Office, prohibiting the entrance of any ship… what is ”Le Phenix’s” captain going to do in such circumstances, with his precious cargo aboard?

In Tortuga, two newlyweds and their attendants got serenaded according to the Spanish tradition, before the feast started. The pirates are enjoying the party organized by the innkeeper, and the captain has already made an invitation to dance – lessons for beginners included…

While the pirates were coping with the aftermath of the hurricane away, their favourite inn in Basse Terre got attacked by landlocked pirates, remained without a ship. The raid on the Elixir is ongoing, several people had been killed and the others had been made to understand that they have to submit… at least for the moment. Several people are thinking about revenge, and one should never misjudge the importance and the courage of the youngest: in the deepest secret, rescue plans are being made, and the bandits are oblivious to the fact that a little boy is missing at their count…

For further news, don’t miss the next issue of the “Histories and Chronicles of the West Indies”!

Click on the photo to read the whole Chronicle!

jp-sailor: Running By - Painting by Thomas Hoyne

The May issue of the “Histories and Chronicles of the West Indies” is up, with news, gossips and awards! Join us and your characters will be featured too!

Click on the photo to read the Chronicle!

(Source: vestidoslindosatelier)

There is a new lady in town! Click on the photo to read the whole story!

The moment was there, a new life started as the ship was docked in the harbor of the French colony Port-de-Paix. It took some months to reach the destination, but Katharina Schwarzenberger was happy the trip was finally over.
She never wanted this trip, it was a necessity. Life in Vienna wasn’t easy anymore, and now in Port-de-Paix, no one knew her past. There were new chances, tabula rasa, a blank canvas, ready to be painted on.

And that moment started when she walked of the boarding plank onto the stone docks. Her porcelain skin and golden hair was protected from the sun with a parasol, flanked by servant, Moritz, and her maid, Anna. The sailors were busy with loading the luggage of the ship, onto the carriage that stood ready for the Schwarzenberger party.

Katharina observed the colorful and lively environment, the swaying palm trees and all the people busy with working, doing errands, just living the colonist life. She took a deep breath and enjoyed the scenery to the fullest.
Still an aristocratic woman, she was always more close to the lower classes than others in her former social circles. Wealth and titles weren’t everything, she always found it somewhat superficial, though she was an adherent to the culture, or rather an outcast..

‘Moritz?’ she asked the blonde servant,

‘Yes Milady?’

‘You go with the carriage, Anna and I will walk. Anna, you know the direction right?’

‘Your wish is my desire. And if I may speak for Anna, she has the directions.’

She watched as the sailors loaded the trunks on the carriage. It surprised her how many fitted on one carriage. Though, the carriage had to return once the trunks were delivered at the townhouse, as there were more to follow.

‘Shall we go?’ she asked in a rethorical manner to Anna, not really waiting for an answer, as she started walking. Anna lead her indirectly to the market, from which the townhouse wasn’t close. Near the market were streetperformers, busy with beggin for money through their arts. It was a colorful group, some guys and a - ‘How fascinating! she thought - bellydancing girl. Katharina stood still to look at the performers and admire their dancing and music.

(Source: oldbookillustrations)

( SITE AWARDS )
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This award is offered to those active characters who have been for more than one year with us, with heartfelt congratulations:

- Leif Edvardssen, played by Erin, joined 28-th of February 2012;

- Aiyana, played by Erin, joined 15-th of March 2012;

- Marc Lafont, played by Joelle, joined 4-th of February 2012;

- Nita Bertinelli, played by Mascha, joined 18-th of March 2012;

- Nicolas Molyneux, played by Mascha, joined 19-th of March 2012;

- William Webster,played by Mascha, joined 16-th of March 2012;

- Jacque Gasquet/ Jacques Fresne, played by Ren, joined 7-th of March 2012;

- Jay Smithe, played by Ren, joined 10-th of March 2012;

- Sir Edward Benton, played by Ren, joined 18-th of March 2012;

- Jonathan Willett, played by Ren, joined 25-th of March 2012.

onlymermaidsallowed:Margarita Mermaids by Ashley Vercekaites