Silken Jack

I play French nation, but enjoy privateering. The Freetraders currently have the best buffs, though.

As I recall (I am not currently subscribed to the game) "civilian" ships purchased through the auction house ship deed trader have slightly different stats than those posted by players on the auction house. You need to buy the deed of the same stats as the one you have, which I believe is the latter. You can sink a lot of money into this, without real necessity. I had a lighter ship in the game, which I used for getting around quick more than getting into trouble, but had a 13 durability rating. I never came close to using any of that. That was money wasted that I could have put into something else. When you get to the higher rated ships, even the player- made ones have a fairly low durability rating, and are just horrifically expensive to replace. Which is a good approach to actual period conditions. To lose a " Prince" class first-rate is a disaster that everyone on your side will feel, and feel for you. But first-rates are only done by nations, and you might be playing the Pirate side. I played it as a French privateer, primarily. I should also say the play of the game up to level 50 and play at level 50 are two different things, almost 2 different games. When I departed, I actually had three characters: my privateer, with which I had much fun; my naval officer, who I developed to be an aid to my nation in port battles pretty exclusively; and my free trader, who handled most of my economic work. I had actually got my privateer into shipbuilding, but was gradually transferring things to the free trader as my free trader rose in level. Multiple characters enabled me to do different things. My privateer eventually ended up hated by number of national navies as well as the Brethren of the Coast, which inhibited his ability to use the auction houses of foreign countries. My free trader, who had an indifferent relationship with everybody, was in a different situation. Multiple characters also increase the number of ships available to you for special purposes. A very useful thing also is membership in a player Society; but research carefully before you join. Some of them are organized for the particular purposes of their members; some for national protection in the organization or large port battles; some for economics; some for PVP battling. The level of maturity of the players matters too ; one idiot 13-year-old or emotionally immature 25-year-old can make life in the society very unpleasant. But a healthy society often helps you maximize your economic development and shipbuilding at a rate much less expensive than the auction houses. And one really can't do all one's necessary economics by oneself. and their advice is priceless, as well as the opportunities for gaming... Nothing like systematiclly making life for the British miserable by blockading Guyana or PvPing the Dons as one of a fleet of six! And killing Pirates, I have to admit, was also a joyous activity. One could also simply play the missions in the game for fun - there are soooo many; and one adventure after another! You can see why I had to leave! Just too much fun!

You increase durability by purchase of a similar ship deed to the sloop you have. Then go to the harbormaster and the drydock to add the durability of the deed to the ship you currently have. if you still have 4 durability I would not worry too much. by the time you get to 1 dur you might want a different ship. add modifications to your sloop to make her more resistant to damage, and more seaworthy , and dangerous. It's a great game, but a real time suck if you are not careful. And I HAVE a real life.

Bread porridge. Very stale bread chopped to bits (or substitute ships biscuit), onions diced and sweated a little oil, chicken broth, tomatoes, basil, garlic, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. If you don't have tomatoes use more onions. Simmer for half an hour. Economical and tasty.

I have not yet had the pleasure of attending the PIP event. I cannot see myself in anything but a feathered and cocked hat. Not all funny.. but staid and dignified, as is appropriate to the captain of a well run ship. Mind you, the round "Pennsylvania" hats with the short brim I have heard are all the rage this season in Paris, but I for one do not wear Macaroni. I shall leave that to younger men with less dignity and more attention to the ephermalities of that which is currently de la mode than I. Time for an ale....

I can't seem to get anything in the way of a chat box, or a way to register. Do you need to register in the general board first?

All bottle conditioned beer has some yeast sediment in the bottom of the bottle. Including expensive store bought beers such as Chimay. The trick to avoiding cloudy beer is to pour slowly and leave the last tablespoon in the bottle. Without a doubt the best book on brewing on your own beer. I sent several copies of this book to Iran last month. I second the suggestion of using Papazian. A great book for beginning brewing. I think that I will go into the cabin now and have a lovely bottle of Scotch ale has been sitting waiting for my attentions. There is nothing like brewing your own stuff -it's cheaper and can brew exactly what you like.

So we are playing D&D? That is, Dutchman and DogLocks?

No doubt because English-speakers are foul heretics and soulless murderers, as a rule. Or I suppose it could be a family curse. But that is certainly no reason to lack good cheer in the enjoyment of pleasant company. Come, Captain, mayI buy you a brandy? And I'd be happy to assist your sibilant sycophant with snifter of the same. Anyone for a game of Dix Mille? ( Rattles dice.)

Hey this was my line. . . or something similar. I know that the private, religious and public schools I attended all did such a disservice to the subject - sucking the life and interest from it. I had little or no interest until my early/mid-20s when I stumbled into various subjects accidentally - when I realized things were down an out lied about, glossed over or ignored. History has been defined as the lies we tell about the dead. I'm not quite that cynical, but I do believe that the same story can be told from different viewpoints. But the so-called Enlightenment is finally winning over basic human values. We don't need educated hands -just people who can build the technology for their masters. Voltaire would be thrilled, the swine.

Aye, Captain - but even the best of bodyguards must sleep. And those who don't can be made to sleep with a sufficient application of silver. It is all in what a man deems to be true treasure, and worth seeking. Sleep well!

Lovely sword. This is a truly beautiful piece - and one more reason why Captain Sterling needs to keep looking over his shoulder!

I suggest that there should be a distinction made between rums intended to be drunk neat and those intended to be mixed, for they are different creatures entirely. I suggest that the mixing rums be tried as part of a standard Planters Punch: one part sour, two parts sweet, three parts strong, and for parts weak: that is, fresh lime juice, sugar syrup, rum, and water (including ice). I will be happy to provide an opinion, if that opinion is needed.

Not at all, milady! I confess to having slipped out to travel a little, and did not have regular access to an Infernal Machine during that time; but I Have Returned!

Ah, I am desolated. Such numbers of replies to my small appearance! I am most honored by the attention! I regret I was distracted a bit by the needs of.. well.. another life, but now I can give a fuller attention. I am happy to report that I have been undertaking a serious study of naval tactics, as well as new gaming opportunities; I think I have Dix Mille and Passe-Dix mastered, and am eager to try my luck with the dice in other tests of luck and skill. I already have obtained two fine knives with my dice, and hope to add a few more things to my portmanteau in this manner. Now if I can just find someone willing to wager a cutlass for a fusil....!