Guybrush Threepwood, a Mighty Pirate!

[headrock]

Foreword



I don't know how many of you saw it (And I'm certainly uphappy about the poor number of people who answered, arrr ye scurby lubbers!!), but I had recently posted a thread asking of you, the Hooked on Pirates crewmembers, to help me come up with a legendary quest that I shall undertake, the prize to which would be my ultimate honor to buy a third SOL for my fleet <-----.

Although response had been surprisingly light, and a cash prize offered (Arrrgh ye scurvy lubbers arrgh AARGGGHHH!!), the answer had been finally given, and so, without further ado, I present to you,
the ultimate SOL catching quest!

But first of all (Heh heh you didn't expect me to actually get right to it, did you? Ye sneaky lot ye), I'd like to thank Oldman and SlipperyJim, who at least TRIED to come up with a quest, not like some of ye (Have I mentioned that ye are all "scurvy lubbers arrgh"?). Nonetheless, Oldman shall receive 100 gold pieces as a prize for his attempt (Which unfortunately wasn't very evil and dastardly), and Slippy will get 150, for a more solid idea that would otherwise have become my quest, had I not thought of something far more devilish and cunning.
Of course, Karnik will get 250, plus whatever I earn from this singular post, since while he did come up with the basic idea for it, I can't with good conscience grant him the previously promised amount for several non-financial reasons.
Hey, it's my contest, and I can pop up new rules whenever I wish it (Hey, it works for mcdonalds). And no complaints dammit, I'm giving away lots of money. My wallet's already whining to me.

Ok ok I'll shut up and get to the point - here it is, ladies and gentlemen:

A Legendary Quest: The adventures of Guybrush Threepwood, a Mighty Pirate.

Karnik mentioned something which I had been wanting to try out more than half a year ago when I got the game and saw that it had Pirate Havens - a new and very welcome feature. He suggested that I play the game as a strict pirate. At first, the idea sounded good but was a bit difficult, in my mind, to execute. But I've done a whole bunch of thinking, and eventually came up with the guidelines that would make this game possible.

I shall be playing the career of the infamously notorious Guybrush Threepwood, a mighty pirate who once sailed the caribbean in search of fame, gold, and three-headed monkeys. The game breaks into several phases in a pirate's career, each with its own rules and regulations. The theme, is, of course, to be a pirate through-and-through, not a sniveling dog to those european bastards.
And this couldn't be Headrock quest unless you get to catch a handful of SOLs by the time it's all over, and that would also be the ultimate goal of this quest, as had been for both others.

In an attempt to overcome the technical difficulties that arise from the basic ideas of the campaign, I have written several rules which I believe are pretty well-tuned to the overall theme.

These are the final rules:

PHASE I: A Pirate Wannabe

The game starts at 1620 (The only period where I haven't caught 8 SOLs yet, so that's part of the legendary feat cause I don't remember anyone else catching 8 SOLs then either). The game begins at Rogue difficulty (Goddamn I REALLY hate fencing in Swashbuckler). At a certain point it shall be upped to Swashbuckler, but this is later. I'll probably take skill at gunnery.


Having bought a sword and defeated the local swordmaster (as is his custom), Guybrush buys a ship and gets some crew to sail out into the caribbean. During the first phase of the game, the goal is simply to defeat all the 9 other notorious pirates in the caribbean to establish sufficient infamy. Sounds easy? Heh heh. No:
During this time, I am prohibited from entering any european CITY by sea, and cannot attack any of them - though I am allowed to sneak in, only to visit the tavern. I can enter pirate havens freely (of course), settlements and missions, but cannot accept any escort assignments (avoiding speaking with mayors, of course, since they don't really give you a choice).
During this phase, ship combat can only be done against Notorious Pirates, and also against merchants, smugglers and Treasure ships ONLY, regardless of nationality of course, and ONLY if they are unescorted! This means I can't attack other non-named pirates, nor Evil Spaniards, or any national ship that doesn't belong to the above categories. I am not obligated to attack any of them when I see 'em though.

Keeping enemy ships as prizes is not allowed!! The only ships I may keep are Famous Pirate ships, and I would have to collect ALL of them, dumping only duplicate ships (of types I already have), but have to also keep my original ship.


This phase ends once all 9 pirates are defeated, _AND_ their treasures stolen. I shall at this point divide the plunder, beginning the next phase of the game with just Henry Morgan's Large Frigate (Which shall promptly be renamed "The Sea Monkey").

PHASE II: Four Map Pieces (And a big f***in' ship!)

Armed with a Biggie and fresh from vacation, the crew sails off to wreak some havoc. During this phase, the goal is different - it is now my task to achieve a 50,000 gold bounty with each of the european nations. Sadly of course this cannot be done simultaneously as had been proven by previous attempts. Therefore, I shall attempt to gain this bounty with one nation at a time. Having had never entered an enemy city before, I have no rank and therefore have no trouble keeping track of the bounty gained in my personal info screen.

During this phase, entering enemy cities is still not allowed (sneaking still allowed to the tavern), and entering settlements is now also strictly forbidden. However, I am now allowed to pursue Raymondo, and will have to rescue all 4 family members. This eventually gives me the four map pieces I need to seek out the treasure of Big Whoop (well it's an inca city, but close). I cannot pursue the treasure before owning the whole map!!

Ship attacks have also changed of course - I can now strike at escorted gold-bearing ships. In fact, all merchants are fair game, not including Immigrant ships (Have some morals ye landlubbers!). Pirate-hunters are still avoided - gotta be as elusive as possible, hit and run strikes from pirate havens. All other military ships (except escorts) will not be engaged either, unless they are reportedly carrying more than 1000 gold.

It is now allowed to keep enemy merchant vessels, but these must be sold at port whether or not this causes cargo dumping. Pirates and indians are of course avoided, since I'm trying to build up a good errr bad reputation here. Also attacks on cities are not allowed, and therefore I still can't see the governors.

This phase only ends once the lost city has been found, but I must also capture at least one SOL (Which shall be promptly named "El Pollo Diablo"). If I cannot find a SOL, this phase continues until one pops up. It can't possibly take very long - after all it's me we're talking about here. At the end of this phase, I will ALSO divide the plunder, meaning that if I had more than one SOL, too bad, they have to go.

PHASE III - The Bloody Rampage of El Pollo Diablo

This is probably the longest, and most totaly dastardly phase of all. This part comprises of the actual strategy of this SOL-hunting venture. During this phase, all ships and cities are fair game, including pirates and Mendoza, keeping ships for sale and conquering cities as well - however I am still not allowed to meet up with governors!!! Although I will for now keep the goal of this phase a secret (my special surprise), once it's out you'll quickly understand why it plays right into the premise of the game, and most importantly the infamous "Rule (E)", "Evil and Dastardly", very, very dastardly. At the end of this phase I will hopefully not have to divide the plunder, but I just might have to.

PHASE IV - 8 SOLs, DUH

This is just a formality phase in which I complete my quest by catching 8 SOLs. Hopefully I won't have to divide in the previous phase, but getting 8 SOLs shouldn't be too hard by now anyway. Once the 8 SOLs are captured, my mission is complete. I may or may not throw rules into the wind and get all promotions and all inca cities at this point (by finally meeting with govs), but I think I'll just stick to the plot of the quest and end the game with less than 126 points, as I often do. It'll probably have been a long game anyway



------------------------------------------------------------

Those of you who have played the Monkey Island games will find some of the parts of this quest to be quite familiar. Those of you who can spot the similarities and post their findings in this thread will be commended and possibly also rewarded with some gold (I'll be making a ton by the end of this, anyway). (I wonder when Kritian's coming back, LOL).

So, unless anyone has anything to say, I shall end my ramblings and get the heck on with it. My next post will probably be the first chapter in the new quest, but it'll have to wait until I get some sleep cause it took me all night to formulate and type this up.

I'm too tired to even give a bellowing evil laugh at this point, but you can imagine me doing that anyway.

Tomorrow. Muahaahaaaa goddamn I'm tired.
_________________
Blondebeard: "Madre de Dios! Es el Pollo Diablo!!"
<Spanish Guitar Riff>
Guybrush: "Si! He dejado en libertad los prisioneros, y ahora vengo por TE!"

[headrock]

Oh yes, and of course, how could I forget:

For the entire duration of this journey, I shall be feeding my crew nothing but my ill-gotten HARDTACK! Yes indeed I have stolen this hardtack, and for no one else but myself, unlike others have maliciously suggested. You fools! Your hardtack shall be the fuel to the most terrible war machine ever to sweep across the Caribbean!!! AT LAST, VICTORY IS MINE! MUAAAAAAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAHAHAHAHAa aAHAHAHAAahahaa AAMAAUAUAAHAHAa aAHAHAMAUAAHAAMAUAHAHAAAAA a aAHAAHAaaaa AHAAaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!


I guess I had the energy for a bellowing, evil laugh after all.
_________________
Blondebeard: "Madre de Dios! Es el Pollo Diablo!!"
<Spanish Guitar Riff>
Guybrush: "Si! He dejado en libertad los prisioneros, y ahora vengo por TE!"

[Howie]

I think you should give yourself a time limit of 1 week Headrock. That way I might have something to report about on the Hooked Gamers main page. The head lines could read. "Man plays Pirates! for 1 week straight with no sleep." "After accomplishing all of his goals and after capturing 8 SOL's he mysteriously falls into a coma!" A few days later he awakens and exclaims. "But I never married a beautiful Governors daughter so I have to start all over again!" hehehe...

Good luck on this quest Headrock. It sounds exciting. If anybody can do it, you can! I can't wait to hear the reports...
_________________

[SlipperyJim]

Bravo! Well-written, well-conceived ... it sounds like a lot of fun and a worthy challenge. Enjoy yourself, Headrock!

I'd applaud, but I got this hook, see.... Oh, what the heck. Ow ow ow ow ow....
_________________
Steal the crew, set fire to the gold, and make the ships walk the plank!

What? Oh, NOW I get it....

[Karnik]

Harrrr, thanks fer the loot! That be a fine quest ye've got there. And by "fine", I also means long, complicated, and with so many parts and rules me head be spinnin'!

Keep yerself a good log, for we'll all be wanting to hear the tale of yer adventures!

[oldman]

Good luck Headrock... in the meantime, I will head back to the Westley to share this surprise reward

[magraev]

I wonder how far you take the Guybrush-approach. Can you win without insulting your opponent? I remember a very frustrating session getting through the swordfights (and they changed the insults grr). The circus will also be hard to include?

Never played the latest in the series so I don't really get the references there.

[fossaman]

Question for you, Headrock: what if, during phase two, you only attacked countries nobody was at war with? It would take years, sure, but you could have 50,000 in bounty from everybody at the same time!

And by the way, I'm only half joking.
_________________

Like my fossa? He's a pirate!

[headrock]

Fossa - I believe this has been tried several times (not sure) - the real problem is that if there is no nation that's at peace with everyone, you're screwed - can't attack anything without raising SOMEONE's happiness. Therefore I'll skip on that one, it's near-impossible, and I'm trying to complete a quest, not get stuck trying to.
_________________
Blondebeard: "Madre de Dios! Es el Pollo Diablo!!"
<Spanish Guitar Riff>
Guybrush: "Si! He dejado en libertad los prisioneros, y ahora vengo por TE!"

[b4lazarus]

Good Luck Headrock...



Some stuff to take with you:



Look out!!!
_________________
X

[headrock]

It has begun!

I have just started out on the quest.

Started at 1620 with the dutch, which gives me a Brig. Better than a fluyt, anyway!

Sailed into St. Martin (for tavern-talk, while I still can). My string of starting-luck goes on unbroken - the barmaid notified me of the location of one Henry Morgan and his extra-large ship. This will definitely make phase A easier.

Got a few men (75 total at this point), and sailed out to Morgan, who was right at the edge of Hispaniola. Took a trade galleon along the way.

I charged into morgan and boarded.



Notice the amount of men left in the crew after the attack on Morgan. Damn I hate fencing at Rogue level!!!! I hate it so much!!!!
_________________
Blondebeard: "Madre de Dios! Es el Pollo Diablo!!"
<Spanish Guitar Riff>
Guybrush: "Si! He dejado en libertad los prisioneros, y ahora vengo por TE!"

[headrock]

After a quick sailing around tortuga, the barmaid at a settlement's tavern informs me of Bart Roberts' location. I've also got two pieces of Morgan's map, hopefully going to liberate some of that treasure soon.

Bart Roberts is out of the game. 7 to go.
_________________
Blondebeard: "Madre de Dios! Es el Pollo Diablo!!"
<Spanish Guitar Riff>
Guybrush: "Si! He dejado en libertad los prisioneros, y ahora vengo por TE!"

[headrock]

Bloody hard!!

Seems like this game's going to be hard after all.

It is 1622. Already I have spent two years of my life and have only caught
such a tiny handful. The huge lack of pirate havens in the eastern regions has caused many problems, espcially because without them there was no way of refitting Bart Roberts' ship and the Revenge with Cotton Sails, making sailing a slow and tedious task. I've been raiding various merchants and treasure ships as per the rule, but have only got 25,000 gold at this point, most of which comes from Morgan and his buried treasure. The "Adventure Galley", AKA the "Sea Cucumber", is without copper plating, and performs rotten in combat (Rogue difficulty...). So far I've managed to refrain from fencing however, though I battle only unescorted merchants so that's to be expected. My crew is tiny - barely more than one hundred men, and I am sailing three ships. Reloads and sail-shifts with the Sea Cucumber are difficult with the small amount of crew remaining on her. And already they are angry - let's see how long I can keep them sailing.

Sailing westwards along spanish main, I find that it is completely devoid of Pirate Havens. Eventually I pass Puerto Bello to find the havens on the coast of central america, as is to be expected. I've found l'mayonnaise though, and dispatched him promptly. But now there are even fewer men on the Sea Cucumber. I will continue sailing northwards, hopefully to meet Blackbeard and confiscate his prize - mayhap this will aid calm the crew down, and allow me to recruit more to handle the large fleet that I am amassing.
_________________
Blondebeard: "Madre de Dios! Es el Pollo Diablo!!"
<Spanish Guitar Riff>
Guybrush: "Si! He dejado en libertad los prisioneros, y ahora vengo por TE!"

[headrock]

Two birds with one stone

It seems that my previous assessment was correct - The next pirate haven I visited supplied information that Blackbeard was sailing near Campeche, and the next haven spoke of Jean Lafitte, supposedly sailing out of the SAME pirate haven, near campeche. And curiously enough, not a day passed before I spotted BOTH of them, sailing down at my position together. Hey, what can I say, it's their funeral!

But this presents a new problem, as now I have 6 ships, and even less crew than before. Gold's up to 50,000 though, but the current buried treasure map is bart roberts', and so far away to the east, near puerto cabello.
_________________
Blondebeard: "Madre de Dios! Es el Pollo Diablo!!"
<Spanish Guitar Riff>
Guybrush: "Si! He dejado en libertad los prisioneros, y ahora vengo por TE!"

[headrock]

Whooopeeee - Good fortune continues.

Sailing up from the Bay of Honduras, where I encountered the previous two felons, I entered Jean Lafitte's old hideout to discover them selling Copper Plating there! Now, the Sea Cucumber is complete, but a shortage on men is still crippling to her abilities.
Nonetheless, Roc Brasiliano was next to fall, right at the tip overlooking Cuba at the other end of the straits. This Royal Sloop may come in handy if I do not have enough men to properly use the Sea Cucumber.

A treasure-laden galleon is making its way to Campeche. And so am I.
_________________
Blondebeard: "Madre de Dios! Es el Pollo Diablo!!"
<Spanish Guitar Riff>
Guybrush: "Si! He dejado en libertad los prisioneros, y ahora vengo por TE!"