its all pirates of the caribbean this, jack sparrow that, but what about him
[ID: An image of Captain Shakespeare from the Stardust film standing in the middle of his amazing walk-in wardrobe surrounded by colourful feathers and garments, his hands clasped across his chest. /End ID]
A tall ship tutorial for those who made logical career decisions in their late teens / early twenties in the hopes that it makes writing fanfiction about your favorite goobers a little easier.
Ok since everybody is extremely excited about pirates at the moment, I want to take a sec to recommend the podcast Campaign: Skyjacks, which is about SKY PIRATES.
It’s set in the original world of Speir, where God died about 200 years prior, the stars fell, and the ocean is now extremely haunted. Fortunately people discovered a material called Featherweave which is lighter than air when heated, and allowed for sailing ships to be remade as Skyships.
Did I mention this world also has giant rideable birds? It does, they’re awesome.
The story focuses on the crew of the Uhuru, a feared pirate ship under the command of Captain Orimar Vale. Unfortunately, when the story starts, Orimar has been killed while on an away mission. Fortunately (?) the ship’s doctor is also a necromancer. So our characters decide to just… raise Orimar as a zombie and Weekend at Bernie’s him so the rest of the crew doesn’t know! Obviously a foolproof plan.
Our main cast is Travis, a changeling rogue; Gable, a 7ft tall fallen angel; Jonnet, a 14 year old kid with a Destiny and a third eye; and Dref, the doctor/necromancer.
It’s a great show and while it can deal with some surprisingly heavy topics there are extensive CWs on episodes. Note that there are consistently a lot of crass/sex jokes as running gags.
If you’d prefer to avoid the heavier themes and dirty jokes, there is a spinoff called Skyjacks: Courier’s Call, which follows three teens working on a skyship for the mail service. It’s a much lighter series but still full of the same cool fantasy worldbuilding.
Additional notes on playstyle: Campaign Skyjacks is playing a custom build of the Genesys system. Also there is an added element of random theme generation by including drawing ‘luminary’ cards from a tarot-like system with in-universe lore attached.
As for worldbuilding–the original concept of Spier is based on a Decemberist’s album. Further place setting lore is then built collaboratively with all the players. The GM even allows players to jump in as improvised NPCs if they’re not in a scene. (This is how you get characters named 'Bathroom Barry’ who end up having a rich and interesting backstory)
The humor can be crass, and the themes get heavy, but the entire cast tries to be inclusive. They’re determined to tell an anti-colonial narrative, and the GM has even hired people with different backgrounds to write inclusive worldbuilding lore.
Finally, the custom soundtrack from Arnie Parrot really ties the entire podcast together. I was hooked as soon as I heard the unique stinger they use for when a character uses magic or interacts with a luminary.
This is true– I forgot to mention that the podcast has an original score composed for it, including in-universe shanty songs! The opening for Courier’s Call is a personal favorite:
Gone are the days when it was easy to ride (singing way-hey-ho) But the years haven’t withered my joy and my pride (singing way-hey-ho) I’ve never been much for the pistol or blade (singing way-hey-ho) For the sun is my course and the sky is my trade (singing way-hey-ho)
My mother she told me that life would be fine If you’re free with the water but savor the wine And to never be hurried but always on time (singing way-hey-ho) (singing wa-ay-he-ey-ho!)
The cast is made up mostly of improv actors based in Chicago, which is the reason behind many of the ever-increasing bit characters, although I personally find some of the bathroom humor bits to go on a bit too long sometimes. But you do also get some legitimately cool NPCs out of it.
I marathoned the entirety of Our Flag Means Death this weekend and I am awash in feelings, so I’m taking it out on the internet in the form of fan art. If you like pirates, gay kissing, theatrical gore, improbable shenanigans, and emotional damage, I highly recommend this wacky historical fanfiction romcom.
- Fussy, spoiled aristocrat + grumpy retired highwayman. Some crime, some swords, and a bit of angst in 1750s London. You can buy it here.
Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires.
In order to save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must go against every gentlemanly behavior he holds dear to gain what he needs most: a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight and could be Percy’s savior. More comfortable in silk-filled ballrooms than coffee shops frequented by criminals, his attempts to hire the roughly hewn highwayman, formerly known as Gladhand Jack, proves equal parts frustrating and electrifying.
Kit refuses to participate in the robbery but agrees to teach Percy how to do the deed. Percy knows he has little choice but to submit and as the lessons in thievery begin, he discovers thievery isn’t the only crime he’s desperate to commit with Kit.
But when their careful plan goes dangerously wrong and shocking revelations threaten to tear them apart, can these stolen hearts overcome the impediments in their path?
Content notes: non-graphic violence (including gun violence), reference to past infant death, reference to character being imprisoned in the past, period-typical homophobia, explicit sex, alcohol use
hey everyone!! so, as some of you who follow me on twitter already know, i finally moved out from home on monday, and i’m now officially in the hostel i’m volunteering!!!
however, it only covers housing, it does not include food, so please, if you like my art and want to see me draw something you like, consider supporting me on ko-fi! 5 bucks makes a huge difference in a day, and you’ll get a cool drawing ✨
i make art of pretty much any fandom, but my current favorite ones to draw are Arcane, She-ra and Our Flag Means Death! but you can choose any other show too!!
i also do OC requests and commissions!
you can check out the full list of rules on my Ko-Fi page before commissioning!! see you soon! :D
