Naval Battles and Blackmoor

***Havard*** · 03-07-2010, 10:05 AM

[Image: Dont_Give_Up_The_Ship_Cover.jpg]

Chrine's mention of Don't Give Up the Ship, reminded me about how much Dave Arneson such games.

The only reference to Naval Battles in connection to Blackmoor that I can think of is the sea battle referenced in th FFC about "Ships vs. Sea Monsters - Sea Monsters Won".

I also think Greg mentioned constant battles along the rivers through the Blackmoor swamps. Given Arneson's love for this concept, should there be more time devoted to it in the setting?

Havard

chirine ba kal · 03-07-2010, 11:33 AM

Isn't there? I'm surprised at that, because Dave really enjoyed having people messing about in small boats down in the swamps.

yours, Chirine

aldarron · 03-08-2010, 10:35 AM

Don't forget Robert the Balds sailing adventures around those pictish islands and such.

There should be more about navies and sailing and island adventures in the published Blackmoor material but I suppose Dave just used his DGUTS rules when those situations arose. How much seaborne adventure you do in your on campaign though really just depends on what's fun for you and your players right?

***Havard*** · 03-08-2010, 10:46 AM

chirine ba kal Wrote:Isn't there? I'm surprised at that, because Dave really enjoyed having people messing about in small boats down in the swamps.

Hmm...actually part DA4 the Duchy of Ten, features a part which is a sea voyage. I forgot about that for a second there.

Aldarron Wrote:Don't forget Robert the Balds sailing adventures around those pictish islands and such.

Source? Is this in the FFC? Or some of Bob's recollections posted on the web?

Quote:There should be more about navies and sailing and island adventures in the published Blackmoor material but I suppose Dave just used his DGUTS rules when those situations arose. How much seaborne adventure you do in your on campaign though really just depends on what's fun for you and your players right?

Sure! I was more thinking in the lines of getting into the spirit of Dave's gaming interests and such. I guess the FFC might have more about sea vessels by nation? I'll try to investigate this further if noone beats me to it... Smile

Havard

aldarron · 03-08-2010, 12:38 PM

Havard Wrote:Source? Is this in the FFC? Or some of Bob's recollections posted on the web?

Havard

Was thinking of stuff from this thread http://blackmoor.mystara.us/forums/viewtopic.php?t=252

and this quote especially:

"Like David, I am a big fan of anything naval, and I knew that if I went through the woods I would reach the coast and could run into the Skandiharrians. David thougt I was crazy, but he could not talk me out of trying. My dice rolling was fantastically lucky, and I made it through the woods to the coast. I joined the Skandiharrians and went on several voyages with them. I became the captain of a ship by challenging the captain to a duel and defeating him with the help of a mysterious stranger ( I believe he was Kurt Krey). He was a magic user who wanted to go back to Blackmoor. This was possible by ship, and I agreed to take him. What he did not tell me was that he had been a central figure in an invasion and burning of Blackmoor in the past. In any event, the journey up the river back to Blackmoor was so hazardous that I lost most of the crew before reaching Blackmoor bay, and Gertie (the dragon in the bay) soon took care of the ship. The wizard managed to drag me to shore, along with a couple of the men. He then disappeared to where he really wanted to go. All of this adventuring was over a period of time of a couple of months, and Greg was actually the Gamemaster for the trip up the river."

***gsvenson*** · 03-08-2010, 05:05 PM

I vaguely remember this. Bob and I were roommates from June 1973 to April 1974 and I DMed allot at that time, but I don't remember much about it anymore.

***Havard*** · 03-08-2010, 05:36 PM

Aldarron Wrote:Was thinking of stuff from this thread http://blackmoor.mystara.us/forums/viewtopic.php?t=252

and this quote especially:

"Like David, I am a big fan of anything naval, and I knew that if I went through the woods I would reach the coast and could run into the Skandiharrians. David thougt I was crazy, but he could not talk me out of trying. My dice rolling was fantastically lucky, and I made it through the woods to the coast. I joined the Skandiharrians and went on several voyages with them. I became the captain of a ship by challenging the captain to a duel and defeating him with the help of a mysterious stranger ( I believe he was Kurt Krey). He was a magic user who wanted to go back to Blackmoor. This was possible by ship, and I agreed to take him. What he did not tell me was that he had been a central figure in an invasion and burning of Blackmoor in the past. In any event, the journey up the river back to Blackmoor was so hazardous that I lost most of the crew before reaching Blackmoor bay, and Gertie (the dragon in the bay) soon took care of the ship. The wizard managed to drag me to shore, along with a couple of the men. He then disappeared to where he really wanted to go. All of this adventuring was over a period of time of a couple of months, and Greg was actually the Gamemaster for the trip up the river."

Brilliant Dan! I had completely forgotten about this. It sounds like an awesome adventure. I love how immerged Greg must have in the setting to make such great use of all of these elements. It also gives some really interesting background to Robert the Bald, and explains what happens to Kurt Krey's character after the Coot Invasion! My guess is Krey returned to the Egg after this, but he could really be anywhere.

By the way, I assumed Gertie was a good dragon. I guess not?

Havard