Pirattitude

Pirattitude: (pronounced pie-rat-i-tood)
Pirattitude is that natural attitude that comes from being like a pirate. Pirattitude is not always something that can be learned, and some people who are not pirates have pirattitude. These people have yet to embrace their inner pirate.

Well, pirates, gonna get a bit edgy, here. Risk-taking is not my forte. Apologies, in advance.

What can we expect from Pirate 101? Wow, that's a lot to ask. It's from KingsIsle, so we know it's a quality, kid-friendly title. But it's also about pirates, which were notably *not* kid-friendly, nor having much in the way of redeeming social graces, at all.

How will these two (seemingly) disparate qualities be combined? Pirates, in both a historical context, or in a romanticized media portrayal, are marauding sea-robbers. At the *minimum*, they are  thieves, highwaymen, preyers-upon-the-weak. And that's just the *minimum*. "Pirate 101 is the Han Solo story", as it quoted, but to what extent does that apply? Han was a smuggler, he shot first, and he did the right thing (initially) "for the money". No gleaming plate armor, here. Less "Shining Knight", and more "Dark Knight"

However, in this post-"Grand Theft Auto" generation, perhaps the sliding scale of "acceptable fantasy behavior" has shifted. Maybe, just *maybe*, I'm just a bit out of touch..or just overthinking it. In this day and age, where the area between "G" and "NC-17" is anything *but* distinct, and seems subject to the perceptions of the moment, rather than concrete rule, I fret. Like watching a metronome, the center/balance is always fleeting, and probably will always be so, considering the very broad range of the KingsIsle player demographics.

Not that I'm all "Pollyanna" about it, nor do I think that kids still live in the "Full House" timeframe,  but unlike the more "Good vs. Evil" simplicity of W101, P101 seems set to explore the many shades of gray in between, and therein lies the latch to Pandora's Box.
Hit my thumb with a hammer? Sure, I can curse like a sailor, and sometimes do, but not around younger, impressionable ears. That's part of what being "grown up" is about... appropriateness. It is a social context, something learned, not instinctual, and not exclusive to any one demographic.

I trust KingsIsle. They have a proven track record. I have no concerns for P101 from their perspective. However, having spent altogether too much time watching the shenanigans in the Commons of W101, I can only *imagine* the "artistic license" that may be "common" with the older of our younger players. Of Parents and Younglings, I have no worries. It's those who are "learning to be grown up" that I see problematic. ( I submit the very pirate-y, and ultimately mis-uable term "booty", as an example). The fiery dynamic those who are neither "Youngling", nor "Adult", and can mercurially morph between those states, where the younger look to for role-models, and the older watch over to guide the younger.

Or, like I've said "Maybe it's just me". Having been a long-run "kid-friendly" blogger, maybe it's just that natural default to "keep it appropriate", like with HiaG. Should things get a bit "keener" with tSC?
P101, however, is a new game. It's already stated it will be "Han Solo", so cartoony graphics aside, "How dark is dark?" on this new spectrum of appropriateness? How far is too far? What will we, as a collective community, decide the boundaries for our behavior (other than those specifically outlined by any ToS ) be?

This, like almost every Pirate 101 question, will be answered, in time, and I have faith (in both KI and the vast majority of Our Spir@l), that we can find an appropriate "middle ground", where it can be (and stay) fun for most. (it's never "all", because some people, you just can't reach").

So, what will be the "attitude" of our "Pirattitude", Spir@l? Please let me hear your thoughts.

Naughty-Call video time

Video selection (16+, for suggestive themes). Please exercise discretion.

"They see me sailing...they hatin'...I know they all see my Jolly Roger all unfurl-ey"

Only Phules rush in...

...where angels fear to tread.

Hey there, you (eventual) Skyway Scallywags of Our Spir@l !

"So, there I was....", studiously re-checking every nook and cranny of the Pirate 101 Website, when an image in the "General Concept Art" flashed by.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Full Stop! Come about, lads! 5 Dots in! Bring that graphic back up, with a will!"

Phule Character Art

Well, well, what have we here? Another escapee from a Masquerade Ball? Is this a future companion? Hopefully we won't be fighting a Tsunami of clowns, because this character doesn't quite look like they do kid's parties. Is there a Pirate101 BatMan? Really digging the Yin/Yang motif. Who knows? Perhaps it's a "Nod of thanks" to Jester, over at Pirate 101 Central , in recognition for years of Community Support.

I was over at Witchwarrior101, (yay! She's back!), and Cassandra says the Armada reminds her of 'V for Vendetta', and having read that, I can't help but really see some 'V' in this 'Phule', which, in the long run, tells me nothing, because 'V' was quite the anti-typical hero.

KingsIsle, you're killin' me, here! I'll theorycraft me'self to death, I will! What am I saying? I can't be mad at KI, only my own impatience. So, what are your thoughts?

 

 

Oh, Pirate 101, I can't help falling in love with you!

Be Thee Well

Edit: Darn it, Autumn, *check* to make sure the video is embedded *before* you publish, geesh!

Yo-ho! Ho-hum.

Arrrrgh, there Captains.

This is the part I do detest the most...the wait.

Much like plundering the high seas, we have days and days of rolling, empty oceans, broken only by the ship of information to plunder. On top of that, there are limited waters to sail, and let me tell 'ye, them waters be crowded. Many a fish, and not enough worms to go around.

However, sometimes one gets lucky. Lucky is good. Heckhound, I'd rather be "Lucky" than "good", because Lucky beats good.

Case in point, the Pirate 101 Facebook page. Not one but *two* tantalizing, and conspicuously vague pictures:

Volcano (!)

Oh, I dunno, "The Birds"?

Theorycraft away, me 'earties! One can only imagine the possibilities. 

Oh, and, just in case'n yer not, a bit o' advice:

"Always good t'be following the , erm, "antics", of one J.Todd Coleman, savvy?"

Be Thee Well

Timeless Beauties- Both Fictional, and Factual.

Fact, or Fiction, still a feast for the eyes.

"Who would win in a fight, between...." No, let's not do that.(Although it *would* be interesting theorycrafting, would it not?)

As I sit here, pondering the eventuality of Pirate 101, images continually "sail by" in my mind's eye. Sure, by now, we've all see the Official trailer, (some of us more than others), and many of us have probably longingly watched the ships scroll by, knowing there *has* to be more. Just has to. If KingsIsle ever decided to go into Commercial Fishing, I know I'd probably be hooked, right off the bat. Just fry me up, and serve me with tartar sauce and a basket of chips.

Anyhoo, back to the beauty of ships of sail. Of course, no Piratey-themed blog would do without a smattering of references to the mega-popular film franchise based on an amusement park ride.


The Black Pearl. No introductions needed, I'm guessing.  Did you know the ship's name was originally "Wicked Wench"? And that a  black pearl earring, was traditionally for survivors of a sinking ship? Who knew? Sadly, this revenant of an undead ship has no historical base, other than being the Kardashian of Ships."Famous for being famous".


The Flying Dutchman Oh, now here we go, a ship with some lore to it! No, we're not talking Spongebob, here, geesh. Going back to 17th-18th Century folktales, This Bad Boy is a doomed eternal wanderer of the seas, and cursed to never make port.Therein lay more tales than mere celluloid can do proper justice.Sadly, we have to file TFD with Unicorns, and Loch Ness.


Queen Anne's Revenge The third of our PotC fleet, is, one that is (very artistically ) styled after a real, timbers-and-canvas ship, very famously Captained by the real Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard). Originally a British frigate, named Concord, it was captured by the French, renamed La Concorde de Nantes , before falling into Blackbeard's possession, and being renamed, yet again. "Show me the Car Fax", already!


Now, all the Above is good and well, but what about the here-and-now? Is the Age of Sail *completely* over? Have we, the land-lubbed, missed our chance to gaze upon such grace?Fortunately not.


USCGC Eagle (WIX-327): The United States Coast Guard still maintains the Eagle as a Coast Guard Academy Training vessel , which is the U.S's only active duty square rigger. Sure, she's got a steel hull, and modern accoutrements, but darn it, just *look* at them sails!

USS Constitution. "Old Ironsides" This one is famous for actually *doing* stuff, like real, honest-to-goodness, "Boom, thud, is-that-all-you've-got?" kinda stuff. I can proudly say that I've stood on deck, and belowdecks on this Warrior Queen. If you're ever in the Boston area, make a point to visit her in Charlestown, and learn a few things at the museum. This baby fought real pirates, and she's stillin the water, to this day. True Fact: The USS Constitution is *still* considered on "Active duty" Yes, you read that right, she's still part of the US Navy, and the oldest commissioned ship still floating, and she's undefeated. (Okay, okay, i know. I tend to gush a bit when supporting the "Home team".)


HMS Victory Okay, to be fair, Although Constitution is the oldest still floating, HMS Victory is *The* Grand Dame of Fighting sail. This tough Ol' Gal was fitted with 104 cannon. Yes, you read that right , one hundred and four. She was the Flagship of Lord Nelson, and even though she's been drydocked since 1922, she still retains the title of "Oldest Commissioned Ship" in the world. She's got a full 30 years on the Constitution,and, like her younger 44-54 gun "sister", HMS Victory saw true naval combat, and lived to tell the tale.

Of course, these are mere samplings of Tall Ships that still abound, and I hope that this little diversion can help you bide the time 'till Beta, and give you a more visceral appreciation of the (virtual) beauties we shall have beneath our (virtual) feet. Just because they're "not real" doesn't mean we can't give them all the love we give their physical, (and mythical), counterparts.

So, "Who would win....?" With enough patience for Beta, eventually, *us*.

Is the war over?

"So, there I was...", poring over possible courses to chart on Our Spir@l's skyways, when a nervous representative of my ship's future contingent approached me, followed by a less-than-enthusiastic crew.

"Beggin' yer pardon, Cap'n, but with Friendly now recruited by the Kings(Isle) Navy, might'n this mean that the ongoing war with Ol' Tom be over, with nary a shot fired?"

*Thwak* sang my blade, as it flew from my scabbard.

*thunk* went my ex-minion's head, as it began it's newly-liberated journey from it's mooring at the shoulders.

"An excellent question, lad" I thoughtfully replied, "Ever so glad you asked. Gather up the Crew, and we shall discuss. Also, someone make a note of that minion's bravery..and bring a mop."

Ah, Old Tom. Not to be confused with Dead Tom, Necromancer extraordinaire, Cornerstone of the W101 community, now not just privateer for KingsIsle, but outright Major General. Of course, this scuttlebutt is not 'new', by the convention of "Internet Time", but must needs be addressed, regardless. I've been mulling over this development, and am now ready broach the subject.

Our little war, composed of skirmishes spaced over time measured in years, is *far* from over. Quite the contrary, one might surmise we are only now seeing the full and glorious clash just now coming over the horizon.

There is no glory to be gained by conquering lesser opponents, such is only a form of carrion feeding. Jostling with one's own peers is slightly better, but no more than wolves struggling for "Alpha" position...
True Glory, however , is found in the Epic Battles. it's about Davids and Goliaths. What sweeter victory than that of overcoming supposedly insurmountable odds?'Ol Tom's ascension has provided us with unexpected opportunity! Dodge the thunder, and seek the silver lining, lads! And when you find that silver lining, loot it!

True enough, Ol' Tom may now have the very  powers of Triton Himself, but therein lies our inevitable victory, lads! True and well, he may have Phenomenal Cosmic Powers, but , and this is the best part of it, me 'earties, is he's all but handed us the keys to (eventual) victory! Sure, he got powers, but he's also now beholden to many a binding chain of rules, regulations, and procedure, muah-ha-ha! While we here are free to fire at will, 'Ol Tom has a Chain of Command, wrapped like an Albatross 'round 'is neck.

Now, that's not to say we can simply sail up "as we please", for there be dragons, but, should we manage the perils with strategy and deftness, not even The Armada itself shall stand against us.
Ol' Tom has well and justly deserved the riches heaped upon upon him, but uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. We most certainly wish him well, and take nothing from him for his accomplishments, far-flung and storied as they are.

So, Ol' Tom, we hereby doff our hats to 'ye, "Major General", in deference to your title, and position, as we respect only the most worthy of opponents.

"Gratz", Friendly, and Thank You!

"Hull-abaloo." Know your displaced sky.

Well, there, mates.
We all know that a boat floats, right? It's based on displacement. (Now *how* this works on the Pirate101 Skyways, well that's just the *magic* of it all, isn't it?). Seeing as I'm no Merle Ambrose, I'll stick to the trivial bits off of flotsam and jetsam that I do know.

As I've said before "A boat is a hole in the water that one throws money into", and that's true enough. However, there are many shapes of "hole" that one might choose.

We're talking hull design, here. Usually when one thinks of a ship, be it a Spanish Galleon, The Mayflower, or yes, even The Black Pearl, those are all just *one* type of boat, regardless of the sail plan. These are all "Monohulls". By far, this is the most common design around. The Monohhull is like the Microsoft Windows of boat design, found everywhere, across most of the planet.

But, there are other ways of going out to sea, and the "other side of the coin" to a monohull is a "Multihull". Instead of just *one* hull, these ships have, as the name suggests, more-than-one hull.

The Multihull category has several variations, those being the catamaran, trimaran, and proa.

A) Catamaran B) Proa C)Trimaran D) Monohull

Now, with so many choices,, why do we stick primarily to monohulls? To be honest, it's about weight capacity. Monohulls can carry, by far, the most on cargo. From the days of yore, to the present, most sea trade has been based on volume. From breadfruit to Oil, a monohull has always been, and always will be the King of Ocean Shipping.

So, why even have "other" designs, then? Depends what you want to do. The more a ship displaces, the deeper it's draft. A ship's draft is basically how *deep* in the water is sits, determining how close it can come to land before it runs aground. If the water by a dock is 12 feet deep, and a ship has a draft of 15 feet, that ship will not be able to reach the dock, making loading/unloading a difficult proposition.

Many multihulls have what's known as a "shallow draft" , meaning you can basically run it right up on to a beach. Your average camping canoe is a "shallow draft monohull". Multihulls are considerably faster, although they can carry (significantly) less weight.

From a pirate's perspective, a multihull, though exceptionally faster than a monohull, wouldn't bee a good choice, (because cannons are heavy), and they couldn't carry as much loot. But for sailing vast distances, lightly provisioned, one would be hard-pressed to beat a multihull.

And since we are talking Pirate 101, with the sneak peeks we've seen already, we'd be remiss to mention *another* type of hull, limited only to the imagination: The "Bio Hull"

"Space Turtles, mate."

A "Bio Hull" has long been a staple of lore. Be it turtles, whales, dracoliches, what-have-you. The idea of a man-made structure on the back of a living creature, has long been an accepted concept. And to leave you , today, my "Naughty-Call" video selection of the day.

Not exactly the Boy Scouts...

Doing one's homework..(Well, you didn't think I wasn't gonna beat *that* dead horse, did you?)

Oh, Capitans, my Captains! I cannot tell you how the call to sail the skyways of Pirate101 grips and claws at me, like a riptide pulling against a ship at anchor. Moreso than any other aspect are the ships. I'm obsessed and enchanted by them. I half expect to spend more time "at sky" than landlocked. Why, I'll wager crowns that I'm not the only one who has already named their future ship, (whether we can name them in-game, or not.) Yes, I'll be at the helm of "The Dworgyn"

With all these new grouping options being discussed for land battles, I'm still curious as to boarding parties, and more importantly "Squadron" or "Fleet" groupings, that is to say, marauding packs of ships sailing under common flag, or purpose. Of course there were always single-ship Acts of Piracy, but the more successful ventures were based on the teamwork of several ships.

And, if so , just how, shall we say, "tactical", shall these groupings be? Of course, there are lengthy dissertations of Fleet tactics of sail , required reading for any Captain of a Ship of the Line.

Now, of course, I realize that #P101 isn't likely to be designed as a full-on naval tactics simulator (and trust me, *that's* for the best), but I cannot rightly see any ship, be it Sea, Sky, (or yes, even space), being restricted to "broadsides". Victory at land, or at Sky, requires Fire and Maneuver.


Yes, yes, I know...I'm probably over-thinking this. It's in my nature. I'm just excited, is  all. As is attributed to Louis Pasteur: "Fortune favors the well prepared"... (which, of course, brings us to today's "Naughty-Call" video selection..Be Prepared)

Lowering the boom.

Full-on broadsides. A slugging match for ships.

Ahoy there, Cap'n!

Well, we can expect a leisurely wait between Official word from KingsIsle Fleet Command, so a lot of us can only dissect the minutiae and detail any/all data found at the Official Pirate101 Website.

*sigh* Waiting is the hardest part. Funny thing is, with every "Age of Sail" Pirate game, (Like Pirates of the Burning Sea, of Pirates of the Caribbean Online), the one thing that was always *first* to rub a digital callus in my gaming brain is the actual *sailing* itself. Getting from "Point A" to "Point B". I'm certainly curious to see how P101's Skyways tackle the dilemma of "distance vs time traveled". Pirate Sailing involves countless hours of monotonous bobbing, broken up by minutes of sheer combat anxiety.

But if Wizard101 is any guidepost, I expect it won't be so bad. With Fast Currents, and Sailing maps that are separate from Land Maps, I expect a small transition when going ashore, and that's to be expected. And what about the ships, themselves? Will there be "stitching" of custom ship components, or will it be "choose function over form"? I believe ship customization will be an art unto itself, and I can't wait for my first Boarding Party. Is it all cannonballs, or is the grapeshot, and chain-shot? Will be able to *name* our ships? Piratey-type minds want to know!

But, as to the ship-to-ship battles, I'm curious as to just how involved it's going to be. Will there be a "wind direction"?. I'm going to guess "probably not". (If you want to experience the *joy* of being enslaved to wind direction (which all ships of sail are), might I recommend this free online simulator from The Pirate King. While you're there, please do take some time to browse the entire, (and impressively comprehensive) site on "All thing Pirate", including a list of "every pirate movie ever made", (to which I challenge Cap'n Heather Raven to match lists) . Honestly, (and without fingers crossed behind me' back), I can say that The Pirate King is guaranteed to teach you something you didn't know before.

Valparaiso (Sting) From Master and Commander

Is there a Doctor in the house?

Which doctor, why Witchdoctor, of course! Which Witchdoctor? The one with the Power of Hoodoo! Who do? YOU do! Do what? Wanna play a Witchdoctor.

Witchdoctor is one of the 5 playable character Classes in Pirate101. Of Course, there's also Buccaneer,(That's $2.00 for both ears), Musketeer (more than 3 available), Privateer (The last of the  "eer" classes), and Swashbuckler (you know, if you're into buckling swashes).

"But Autumn, I mean, 'Captain', why Witchdoctor?"

So glad you asked.
Really, for anyone that knows me, or has read HiaG at all, there could really *be* no other choice.  Why, even in the description it says "Masters of the Dark Arts". As a Necromantress of (questionable) repute, I can only quote Tia Dalma with "It's in my nature". (And c'mon, really, who *wouldn't* want Epic Power like hers, amirite?). The ability to learn Mournsong, "which summons spirits to drain the health of their enemies.", sounds like it was *made* for me.Mmm..Vampire Pirates.....Johnny Depp has been *both*, now...but I digress.

With Friendly still on the loose, running amok  in Our Spir@l, It's my inclination, nay, my DUTY to match him class for class, world for world, as a *proper* Frenemy. (For those of you who are new to me, know that I have the greatest respect for Thomas, and we have played at this game-within-a-game for a very long time, now.).

Once his Legal (NDA) shackles fall off, I have no doubt that The Friendly Witchdoctor will, as is proper, be the stalwart hub of our out-of-game Community...and he's earned that. I doubt that any of my Old Skool Peers would contest that, given the many Pillars of Community we have among us.

Until that time, however, when The Colors are *Officially* Hoisted, I will be the ever brooding, plotting, and subversive little nemesis I can be. Sure, I won't win "in the end", but that's part of the job description.
Also, I have a lingering residue of duty and obligation to KingsIsle, and it's awesome fan community, to "Keep the troops rallied", as it were, in perpetual repayment of the joy and entertainment that both have bequeathed to me.A KingsIsle Game is akin to a Dinner Table, and all who come to it are Family..

Wow, look at me, all rambling on, going off-topic like that. "Just like the old days". I think I'll cut my losses and leave you with a "Be well", until next time.

Be Thee Well...and enjoy some classic Labyrinth:

Fun with advanced theorycrafting

 From Bloomberg

"With "Pirate101," the company is following the template of its influences, like Pixar's line of hit movies and the "Star Wars" series, which has had a big impact on the company's storytelling. In describing the difference between "Wizard" and "Pirate," Coleman said that while the story of a chosen hero from the first game is akin to the story of Luke Skywalker, "Pirate101" is "the Han Solo story," about a rogue adventurer who learns to be a hero.
Players of the game will pilot airships and explore lands unexplored in "Wizard101" while building a crew. They'll choose from among five kinds of characters: Buccaneer, Witchdoctor, Privateer, Swashbuckler or Musketeer, building up an unsavory crew against an evil robot Armada."

Let us not forget, Han Shot First.Remake, or not.;)
I likes me a scoundrel.

Robot Armada? Sounds like Clockwork, to me, and *that* sounds like Valencia. 
(Ah, I tell you, it's good to be back, and I'm definitely looking forwards to some theorycrafting. For the moment, however, I'm gonna play my cards close to the vest, until the time is right.)

 The Legacy of Kane, our new Malistaire?

Pose any threat? Destroy us?! Let's start a Riot! Sounds like a powerplay, to me, one in which we won't profit. This "Grand Design" does not bode well. Akin tho the East India Trading Company, the rich and powerful seem to never be content with what they have. However, what they don't have, is US. Let's stand, shoulder-to-shoulder, and keep our freedom!
(If anything else, this prelude offers me oh-so-many opportunities to pull out all the stops to over-use any/all POTC references, lol. "Sorry, in advance")

Let's start a riot!

Be Well