Thomas Blakeney

jimbotten wrote:Ohhh....   My most extra-ordinary turn so far!  Not only did Richard not through any spanners into my more-than-optimistic orders, he even provided a source of information as requested...

Lull before the Storm?????

no they seem to be coming to me now...... 

Funny, I had the same thought. Maybe Tom's due for some of your old good luck (can only hope)?

well lost all my money, now my aide, Hans has done a runner and I am being challenged by 3 men who are sons of some native woman i accosted about my missing money... looks like he may end up with a coat after all

Another month, another step forward in the same helpful conversation... (sometimes the time-scale feels really weird; three months outside a town talking to someone!)

Who says the art of conversation is dead, thats a lot of talking you must be doing there

Um, actually not a lot... but determined to move forward. (I just need this chap I've met to actually tell me about the town I'm approaching, rather than an inviting offer several hundred miles away - on foot.)

With a sinking heart Tom finds himself yet again invited to follow an unprepossessing fellow into a dark and lonely place...

wot dogging again is Tom?

I think "skinning" was mentioned... I'm hoping that's not some strange 18th C euphemism.

I think Richard was kind to me this turn (I think!) Tom's gambling-habit keeps kicking in at inappropriate moments, but it's hard to play the habit straight without any money or any personal possessions worth wagering. Anyhow, this time the only penalty seems to have been a temporary nausea (resulting from an ill-advised [hence "gambling"] venture into an abattoir. Following on from which, fresh air and a chance (at last) to take to the water (Tom's natural habitat). Seems we're off to Montreal!

woohoo and I am off to Europe   things looking up 

jimbotten wrote:I think Richard was kind to me this turn (I think!)  Tom's gambling-habit keeps kicking in at inappropriate moments, but it's hard to play the habit straight without any money or any personal possessions worth wagering.  Anyhow, this time the only penalty seems to have been a temporary nausea (resulting from an ill-advised [hence "gambling"] venture into an abattoir.  Following on from which, fresh air and a chance (at last) to take to the water (Tom's natural habitat).  Seems we're off to Montreal!

I am told Montreal is very nice..............and after the murder of King William its probably a good time to be a long way from a lot of very upset Orange Order types in New England.

There is that, of course... (pity Tom also has some personal "issues" with the French authorities... Did I say I thought Richard had been kind?)

jimbotten wrote:There is that, of course... (pity Tom also has some personal "issues" with the French authorities...  Did I say I thought Richard had been kind?)

Apart from the small matter of desertion from the French Navy what other "issues" do you have with the French?

There French what else is there?

Stuart Bailey wrote:

jimbotten wrote:There is that, of course... (pity Tom also has some personal "issues" with the French authorities...  Did I say I thought Richard had been kind?)

Apart from the small matter of desertion from the French Navy what other "issues" do you have with the French?

Ah, if it were only that... There is a particular French Admiral who has promised to have poor Tom's head cut off if he failed him in a certain mission, which Tom spectacularly has (being in quite the wrong continent, and through no fault of his own - "honest guv").

Ah, if it were only that...  There is a particular French Admiral who has promised to have poor Tom's head cut off if he failed him in a certain mission, which Tom spectacularly has (being in quite the wrong continent, and through no fault of his own - "honest guv").[/quote]


If you wish to stay out of the hands of the French Navy are you sure New France is a good place to go? Or is it a cunning bluff by Tom who thinks the French will never look for him in their own backyard.

For a good catholic sailor who wants to stay away from French neck tie parties, flogging round the fleet and kell hauling I still think Tom would have done better to head south.

He could have joined the Spanish hunt for El Dorado - hundreds of miles up one of the great rivers - no French Navy to worry about only ........Yellow Fever, Indian Head Hunters, Giant Snakes & Fish Suppers (sorry that is being had for supper by the local fish).

If only Tom had so much control over his direction of movement! The penniless have to go wherever free-loading can take them (in the current instance, working my passage on a raft). One day he may have a coin in his purse... and then!

June 1710 - no (obvious) disasters (or challenges!) for once... but deep confusion. According to a letter received I ought to be rich (though funds sometimes takes time to wend their way through he system, I hope!). Or it may be that the cash has already arrived and is in the "keeping" of one of my two travelling companions. Whatever, something that took cash to arrange on our part has been arranged - but I don't know which of my two tight-lipped fellow-travellers was responsible (if either!) Anyway it looks like Montreal next stop, and try to figure out a little of what's happened on the way. "Life" is always interesting, at least.

Another turn with no major challenges facing Tom (not obviously, anyway), but some decisions to be made. Still nothing in his pockets, but at least he's in Montreal now - with potential access back to England?? If he can avoid catching gold-fever, of which there seems to be a local out-break.

One step forward, one step back (usual pace of progress for young Tom). Got as far as Montreal, but now I have to go back to Albany to collect my wages for helping work the raft downriver. And I need that money! Still nothing in my pocket (despite various promises, made in all good faith no doubt, but sabotaged by Agemic control of the seas). Still perplexed by my tight-lipped "companions" and now also puzzled by what's best to do now that Tom's "secret mission" (to assassinate the incognito John Churchill) has been overtaken and made redundant by events. (Don't ask why Tom is in America on such a mission...)

Having so long been baffled and blocked by an absolute lack of funds young (though he may have a few white hairs by now) Tom is now almost equally baffled by a considerable access of wealth. Will take a little thinking to come up with a judicious use thereof. Meanwhile - is it possible for a character without reading-and-writing to be taught literacy in game, do we think? Can't find anything in the rules to indicate yea or nay...

yes but it takes time and you may not be able to do anything else or it will reduce the effectiveness of it.

Hmmm, sounds just like Richard...