To My Reviewers: -
Anolinde ~ Thanks for the review, matey. Yes, the 'what we have learnt today' is a very important section, it summarises my chapters. . .(don't ask why that happens to be important!!) . . .
The Second Geek - Pizza? *looks at it suspiciously for a few minutes* mmm. . . pizza. . .and thanks for calling me chapter fantastic *blushes* oh you reviewed twice!! I've ne'er felt so loved!! ^_^
Queen Flare ~ Be careful of the fishing boats. . .they can be the worse!! Oh, and I'm glad my guide is helping. With all this praise it's a wonder I don't have a big head!!
PhoenixPadfoot89 ~ I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am unhangable, and the Black Pearl is uncommandeerable (is that a word?! *nods* it's my word!! Hey, I just made a new word!!) . . .
Salem Crane ~ More rum!! Nasty torture for scum like Norrie, and Barbie? Maybe we should exchange notes. . .*intelligent look*
Moonglow13 ~ No, they're aren't many. Mine IS the best!!
Waging War
Okay, so the idea is to capture the enemy ship, with as little damage to yourself and the prize as possible, this may mean that up close tactics are needed. Sometimes, to reduce the personal risk more long distance fighting can be adopted. I mean no matter how we pirates are portrayed, as the devil's children, scum o' the earth, with no feelings. . .we don't want to end up at the bottom of Davy Jones Locker.
Okay so there are three possible outcomes when you start to battle. Pretty simple really: -
The enemy gives up quickly after a cannon shot warning, or damage to the main sail.
This could involve getting a little bit closer, using closer range guns, and grenades.
A bloody, close range contact. . .try and avoid these. . .it's not good for your ship to get shot at all day.
Okay personally my favourite weapon has to be reputation. The idea of scaring off another ship, without having to fire a single shot appeals to me (for some reason!!). It also greatly reduces the loss you may suffer during conflict. So to begin with you must build up a reputation as a blood thirty, spawn of the devil pirate, who never backs down. And after a couple of hundred years you might just reach my standard. (Come on, we both know that will never happen!!)
Making your own Flag: -
I asked Elizabeth what her flag would be. . .and she said somethin' about bunny rabbits, flowers, and the peace symbol. You can go with that approach if you like, but I doubt it will have much effect. . . OR you can take my approach to flag making. For a start don't steal any one else's 'cause they'll be after you!!
Right so on to what they mean: -
A Pierced Heart - A merciless death - which is what anyone gets if they try to take the Black Pearl. . .if you don't believe me look what happened to Barbossa. . .he got shot!!
A Heart with drops of blood - a drawn out, long painful death. . .
A spear - Violent Death (whose death I'm not sure. . .)
A Skeleton - apparently this shows a tormented death. . .(isn't that the same as the three above?)
Flowers - shows there is a woman on board. . .women are bad luck so therefore the enemies will stay away (well that's the theory anyway)
Or you could use a combination of all them. A skeleton having his heart pulled out with a flowered spear? As far as I know, that one's free.
Other weapons.
Okay, so you've only just started out on your career, you don't have a reputation to fight your battles for you? Never mind, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, there are other weapons available.
Cannons - Lot's of scallywags needed to man these, bout four every cannon, I think. Good for long range, destroying the enemy shops. . .I mean ships (Don't ever spend the weekend with Elizabeth. . .bloody hell you wouldn't think there could be that many dress things too try on. . .) they range from about 700-1000 yards. Call me old-fashioned, but I'm still a yard man, I don't hold with all this metric rubbish, I mean what the hell is a metre? And now back to my guide. . .cannons. Get them. They're good. *nods*
What to load the cannons with: - (I know this seems pretty obvious. . .)
Grape shot - Lot's of tiny little balls all shot together. . .basically puts lot's of tiny little holes in the enemy. . .
Bundle Shot - bundles of short metal bars. . .
Anything - As you will remember from my film, The Inteceptor filled their cannons with ANYTHING. Scrap metal, iron, nails, spikes. . .and when all that is gone. . .gold. It's quite funny really, 'cause you don't need to aim the shot, the enemy jump up to catch the gold. ^_^ (silly men!!)
Closer range weapons: -
Stinkpots - small clay pots filled with burning sulphur (can't find sulphur? Rotting fish will do!!) thrown on the deck. Tear gas. Best outcome ~ the gas overwhelms their desire to fire. Worse possible outcome ~ you misaim, or the pots go off before you throw them. . .I mean way to score an own goal, eh?
Grenades - glass bottles, or pots filled with black powder mixed with broken glass, and scrap iron. Good for wounds, and shock value. (Yes, they are those bomb things from the film. . .the one that Will was standing next to. . .which *cough* didn't actually work!!)
Then of course there are the guns. Millions of them. . .okay so that's a slight exaggeration. . .but there are lot's and lot's of 'em.
Pocket pistols, multi-barelled pistols, Flintlock pistol, Musketoon, volley guns. (see, lot's and lot's).
Even Closer Range Weapons : -
Cutlass ~ Quicker then the guns. . .I mean in battle the enemy aren't just going to stop whilst you reload you gun. . .(surprising, ain't it?) they're shorter then normal swords, with a broader blade, perfect for close range fighting. . .AND. . .they never run out.
Other things: -
Boarding hooks - (also visible in my film) used with ropes to board the enemy ship.
Boarding Axes - Used to cut the ropes of the boarding hooks. And anything that stood in the way, doors, locks, hatches. . .etc.
Tomahawks - axes that can be thrown at stuff (usually people. . .)
Marlinespike - *shudder* for those with mutiny on their mind. . .this is a good weapon.
Okay, so chose your weapon. You'll soon decide which are the best for you. Try the reputation thing, it really works. Once I looted and sunk 22 navy ships in harbour, without having to fire a single shot. The crews fled as they saw me approach. (I wouldn't try that one, if I was you. . .just yet).
Hope my guide has helped. So your task for today is to go and attack a rival ship (long as it's not mine!! Ha. . . you wouldn't stand a chance!!) and tell me how you get on.
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT TODAY: -
You learn something new everyday! (Just erm. . . not today!)
RANDOM FACT: - (new section!!): -
Most Pirates are ex-navy, so there's hope for Norrington yet!
Drop me a line, me matey's and tell me how your getting on. . .
Coming next issue, Ladies of the Night.
Anolinde ~ Thanks for the review, matey. Yes, the 'what we have learnt today' is a very important section, it summarises my chapters. . .(don't ask why that happens to be important!!) . . .
The Second Geek - Pizza? *looks at it suspiciously for a few minutes* mmm. . . pizza. . .and thanks for calling me chapter fantastic *blushes* oh you reviewed twice!! I've ne'er felt so loved!! ^_^
Queen Flare ~ Be careful of the fishing boats. . .they can be the worse!! Oh, and I'm glad my guide is helping. With all this praise it's a wonder I don't have a big head!!
PhoenixPadfoot89 ~ I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am unhangable, and the Black Pearl is uncommandeerable (is that a word?! *nods* it's my word!! Hey, I just made a new word!!) . . .
Salem Crane ~ More rum!! Nasty torture for scum like Norrie, and Barbie? Maybe we should exchange notes. . .*intelligent look*
Moonglow13 ~ No, they're aren't many. Mine IS the best!!
Waging War
Okay, so the idea is to capture the enemy ship, with as little damage to yourself and the prize as possible, this may mean that up close tactics are needed. Sometimes, to reduce the personal risk more long distance fighting can be adopted. I mean no matter how we pirates are portrayed, as the devil's children, scum o' the earth, with no feelings. . .we don't want to end up at the bottom of Davy Jones Locker.
Okay so there are three possible outcomes when you start to battle. Pretty simple really: -
The enemy gives up quickly after a cannon shot warning, or damage to the main sail.
This could involve getting a little bit closer, using closer range guns, and grenades.
A bloody, close range contact. . .try and avoid these. . .it's not good for your ship to get shot at all day.
Okay personally my favourite weapon has to be reputation. The idea of scaring off another ship, without having to fire a single shot appeals to me (for some reason!!). It also greatly reduces the loss you may suffer during conflict. So to begin with you must build up a reputation as a blood thirty, spawn of the devil pirate, who never backs down. And after a couple of hundred years you might just reach my standard. (Come on, we both know that will never happen!!)
Making your own Flag: -
I asked Elizabeth what her flag would be. . .and she said somethin' about bunny rabbits, flowers, and the peace symbol. You can go with that approach if you like, but I doubt it will have much effect. . . OR you can take my approach to flag making. For a start don't steal any one else's 'cause they'll be after you!!
Right so on to what they mean: -
A Pierced Heart - A merciless death - which is what anyone gets if they try to take the Black Pearl. . .if you don't believe me look what happened to Barbossa. . .he got shot!!
A Heart with drops of blood - a drawn out, long painful death. . .
A spear - Violent Death (whose death I'm not sure. . .)
A Skeleton - apparently this shows a tormented death. . .(isn't that the same as the three above?)
Flowers - shows there is a woman on board. . .women are bad luck so therefore the enemies will stay away (well that's the theory anyway)
Or you could use a combination of all them. A skeleton having his heart pulled out with a flowered spear? As far as I know, that one's free.
Other weapons.
Okay, so you've only just started out on your career, you don't have a reputation to fight your battles for you? Never mind, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, there are other weapons available.
Cannons - Lot's of scallywags needed to man these, bout four every cannon, I think. Good for long range, destroying the enemy shops. . .I mean ships (Don't ever spend the weekend with Elizabeth. . .bloody hell you wouldn't think there could be that many dress things too try on. . .) they range from about 700-1000 yards. Call me old-fashioned, but I'm still a yard man, I don't hold with all this metric rubbish, I mean what the hell is a metre? And now back to my guide. . .cannons. Get them. They're good. *nods*
What to load the cannons with: - (I know this seems pretty obvious. . .)
Grape shot - Lot's of tiny little balls all shot together. . .basically puts lot's of tiny little holes in the enemy. . .
Bundle Shot - bundles of short metal bars. . .
Anything - As you will remember from my film, The Inteceptor filled their cannons with ANYTHING. Scrap metal, iron, nails, spikes. . .and when all that is gone. . .gold. It's quite funny really, 'cause you don't need to aim the shot, the enemy jump up to catch the gold. ^_^ (silly men!!)
Closer range weapons: -
Stinkpots - small clay pots filled with burning sulphur (can't find sulphur? Rotting fish will do!!) thrown on the deck. Tear gas. Best outcome ~ the gas overwhelms their desire to fire. Worse possible outcome ~ you misaim, or the pots go off before you throw them. . .I mean way to score an own goal, eh?
Grenades - glass bottles, or pots filled with black powder mixed with broken glass, and scrap iron. Good for wounds, and shock value. (Yes, they are those bomb things from the film. . .the one that Will was standing next to. . .which *cough* didn't actually work!!)
Then of course there are the guns. Millions of them. . .okay so that's a slight exaggeration. . .but there are lot's and lot's of 'em.
Pocket pistols, multi-barelled pistols, Flintlock pistol, Musketoon, volley guns. (see, lot's and lot's).
Even Closer Range Weapons : -
Cutlass ~ Quicker then the guns. . .I mean in battle the enemy aren't just going to stop whilst you reload you gun. . .(surprising, ain't it?) they're shorter then normal swords, with a broader blade, perfect for close range fighting. . .AND. . .they never run out.
Other things: -
Boarding hooks - (also visible in my film) used with ropes to board the enemy ship.
Boarding Axes - Used to cut the ropes of the boarding hooks. And anything that stood in the way, doors, locks, hatches. . .etc.
Tomahawks - axes that can be thrown at stuff (usually people. . .)
Marlinespike - *shudder* for those with mutiny on their mind. . .this is a good weapon.
Okay, so chose your weapon. You'll soon decide which are the best for you. Try the reputation thing, it really works. Once I looted and sunk 22 navy ships in harbour, without having to fire a single shot. The crews fled as they saw me approach. (I wouldn't try that one, if I was you. . .just yet).
Hope my guide has helped. So your task for today is to go and attack a rival ship (long as it's not mine!! Ha. . . you wouldn't stand a chance!!) and tell me how you get on.
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT TODAY: -
You learn something new everyday! (Just erm. . . not today!)
RANDOM FACT: - (new section!!): -
Most Pirates are ex-navy, so there's hope for Norrington yet!
Drop me a line, me matey's and tell me how your getting on. . .
Coming next issue, Ladies of the Night.