My friends and I have a weekly 'round the table, pen and paper' Roleplay session. Since we're primarily sci-fi geeks, we usually play a mix of Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate SG-1, Serenity and by and large we usually we stick to what we know and enjoy. I share the Gamemastering duties with another guy and we normally try to mix things up every few months by introducing a non-scifi RP. We've done a WWII RP, Rome RP and Lord of the Rings. They don't stick, but they're a fun change of pace. Recently, we tried a Napoleonic Naval RP where the players had characters that were crew and officers aboard a naval vessel. To everyone's great surprise, it was a hit and we're currently into our fourth week of this RP. The system we used encouraged 'troupe play', which had each player controlling multiple characters (one on each tier: officer, warrant officer and sailor) and advancing them through good roleplay.

What would be the potential of a forum based RP based on this era? Not as fantastical as Pirates of the Caribbean, it would be more focused on three nations - the young American and French Republics, and Britain. The American Navy, though very small, was very good. They were almost continually at war during the era of play, against the Barbary nations, Caribbean pirates, France, and England. The British Navy had, of course, by far the most powerful navy of the day, both good and numerous, and projected the might of England everywhere in the world. The French had the second largest Navy, and were opponents to both the Americans and the English.

The emphasis is on adventure, character development, and the cooperation and competition among the player characters necessary for one of them to become the captain of his own ship. The time period this RP would cover is 1794 to the global peace of 1815, but we don’t want to get locked into the historical recreation, though. We would be free to deviate from history at any point.

The fact that it is NOT PotC tends to make me believe that it might fall flat on its face. Does anyone have any opinions on this?

I like the sound of the idea, although I don't know enough of the era to actively play it.

I'm pretty sure I saw someone looking for a non-PotC pirates RP, so maybe it could be edited to encompass that? As in, having the navy aspects, but also having the option to play a pirate?

That would be very cool, and quite unique!

It would be neat to organize it somehow by ships, but also have port areas for (allied, anyway) ships to 'mingle'. Exploring the conflict of the British & Americans vs. the French, plus the tensions between the Americans and the British in cooperating would be very interesting...

I think including some pirates (and not Jack Sparrow pirates...) is a good idea, too. So it wouldn't always be the French vs. the Brits or Americans, and there would be a sort of 'neutral' side to the conflict...and a side that takes advantage of the conflict as best they can. Though you'd want to keep a 'pirate faction' small, and perhaps that should be something introduced later rather than initially.

At any rate - yeah, awesome idea! I'd want to join, though I'm not sure if I'd have the time. (unhappy)

(unhappy) That is what I fear most people would say. I have quite alot of research and information on the era to add 'flavour' to the RP. I could include a section with information and stuff and people who are interested can then read it. *shrugs* The best way to get into this era is to read the fiction of the era or watch movies like Master and Commander.

*nods* brilliant idea. Adding an 'Independent' faction could be interesting. They wouldn't only have to be pirates, but could also encompass smugglers, privateers and even merchant navy and independent trading vessels.

Thanks for taking the time to look through my idea. At least I know there would be some interest, in the novelty, if nothing else, lol. (tongue).

One of my players actually said that the only real gripe she has about the game is the lack of female characters (since Navy ships of war, and pirate ships for that matter, did not have female crew and rarely carried passengers). Would that be a disadvantage when trying to attract members? Would allowing exceptions detract from the historical feel of the RP?

Note: I'm aware of historical and literary exceptions, but on the main, women had no place on ships of war or pirate vessels of the era

Yeah...sadly, a lot of female players feel like they have to play a female character, or that they have to be feminists in RPGs. I mean, I'm very much into breaking societal conventions as a woman, and I feel I do...a lot...but really I mostly play male characters, and I absolutely hate it when people complain that, because a female character is not allowed into the action as warriors, soldiers, etc., there is no place for any female characters.

What you have to do is make sure there are opportunities for 'normal' female characters that would be generally historically fitting, and try and encourage female players (or male players!) to play a strong female role without having her go swashbuckling somewhere.

If ya know what I mean.

So, I guess: yes, there would be people who would gripe. But they shouldn't. Does that help you any in gaining members, though, by telling them that? Ehh...

What might help is having those opportunities. But, again, this would add to the ground you'd have to cover. You could have wives, mothers, lovers back at home, and women who live in the port towns/cities that ships can 'visit', etc. So I think as long as you make it clear there are opportunities to play female characters, even if they are not allowed on the ships, that will help.

But you will still get gripers...and might have to watch for stowaways... *rollseyes*

I hope that was coherent...

It was (lol, stowaways) ! Thanks alot to you both for taking the time to help me think this through. It is much appreciated.

I'm extremely interested in it, as well. I know bits and pieces of the time period, but overall I think the information threads would be necessary. I'd absolutely love an 'open sea's!' roleplay that doesn't revolve around PotC or Jack Sparrow-pirates. I think it could get really interesting, especially if you find a group of dedicated roleplayers to set the foundations for it.

Go for it!!

Yeah, I have decided to give it a go. If nothing else, it can be my own person playground, since I love this period to bits. (happy)

Awesome! You're bound to find a few others who love the time period and can roleplay it well :] Or those like me, who are willing to learn and dedicate their skills to roleplaying :]

There are many different routes you can take, methinks, a lot of potential politics. Politics are fun, regardless of the era ^__^

Keep us posted ;)

If anyone else is interested, you can find the employment thread here.

I wish I had the time.... >_< Looking great so far!