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Post by grinch on Oct 24, 2021 20:48:05 GMT
www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/blackbeard-edward-teach-pirateA legendary pirate who has been featured in a great many films and television series over the years but strangely enough has never made an appearance in Doctor Who or any of its associated spin-offs. So, what adventure ideas can we come up with featuring the dreaded pirates?
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daemos
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Post by daemos on Oct 25, 2021 8:16:06 GMT
The Mind Robber.
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Post by grinch on Oct 25, 2021 8:27:58 GMT
Forgot all about that to be honest. Still, that was only a fictional version of him no doubt pulled from some adventure story whereas I was referring to the real life historical figure. |
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misterharry
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Post by misterharry on Oct 25, 2021 9:16:41 GMT
Yeah, the historical Blackbeard would be quite different to the romanticised fictional version (who only made a blink-and-you-missed-it appearance anyway). If the reports about the historical Blackbeard's death are believed, he would have a very high Resolve and Strength, plus a high Presence to keep a pirate crew in order.
There was an adventure for the FASA roleplaying game published in Stardate magazine which featured Blackbeard teaming up with the Cybermen. I think I ran it back in the day, but I can't remember if it was any good or not.
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Catsmate
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Post by Catsmate on Oct 25, 2021 13:54:36 GMT
Yeah, the historical Blackbeard would be quite different to the romanticised fictional version (who only made a blink-and-you-missed-it appearance anyway). If the reports about the historical Blackbeard's death are believed, he would have a very high Resolve and Strength, plus a high Presence to keep a pirate crew in order. There was an adventure for the FASA roleplaying game published in Stardate magazine which featured Blackbeard teaming up with the Cybermen. I think I ran it back in the day, but I can't remember if it was any good or not. |
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Post by grinch on Oct 25, 2021 15:17:32 GMT
Yeah, the historical Blackbeard would be quite different to the romanticised fictional version (who only made a blink-and-you-missed-it appearance anyway). If the reports about the historical Blackbeard's death are believed, he would have a very high Resolve and Strength, plus a high Presence to keep a pirate crew in order. There was an adventure for the FASA roleplaying game published in Stardate magazine which featured Blackbeard teaming up with the Cybermen. I think I ran it back in the day, but I can't remember if it was any good or not. I’ll have to try and track it down. If only to see how bad it is. I could see Blackbeard perhaps allying with the Cybermen for their advanced weaponry but otherwise I don’t see Blackbeard as the most logical choice of person to ally with on the part of the Cybermen. Be hard to convert the entire planet with just one seafaring vessel. |
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Post by olegrand on Oct 25, 2021 15:58:25 GMT
One aspect of Blackbeard which, I think, would be interesting to emphasize in a DW adventure would be the way he built his own legend, deliberately cultivating the "ruthless pirate" image in a somewhat "psychological warfare" style (eg the whole "slow fuses" stuff)... perhaps the characters could discover some unexpected character traits behind all the Blackbeard façade...
Another fun idea would be to use one or several "fake Blackbeards" / Blackbeard impersonators (with some "Pirate Robert" vibes from Princess Bride).
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Post by grinch on Oct 25, 2021 16:29:47 GMT
One aspect of Blackbeard which, I think, would be interesting to emphasize in a DW adventure would be the way he built his own legend, deliberately cultivating the "ruthless pirate" image in a somewhat "psychological warfare" style (eg the whole "slow fuses" stuff)... perhaps the characters could discover some unexpected character traits behind all the Blackbeard façade... Another fun idea would be to use one or several "fake Blackbeards" / Blackbeard impersonators (with some "Pirate Robert" vibes from Princess Bride). Neat ideas. Certainly a few ways you could tackle an adventure featuring him ranging from comedic to a more serious tone. For a more comedic image, you could suggest that Blackbeard's fearsome image was being carefully cultivated by an alien PR manager (I'm imagining a real sleazy Hollywood type. Except with antenna) looking to make him a star. Edward Teach himself might be a bit baffled by some of his choices but has to acknowledge that the results speak for themselves. You could also do a more serious approach as you suggested and explore the man behind the makeup. Be interesting to see how Edward Teach would react to know his name does live on in the future. Edward Teach, the Man may die. But Blackbeard will live on forever. Maybe in the future Blackbeard impersonators are as common as Elvis impersonators are of today? Then the real Blackbeard makes an appearance. |
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Post by spydalek on Oct 25, 2021 17:31:41 GMT
That just makes me think of an adventure where the players come across a "convention" (or gathering) of Blackbeard impersonators, and then it turns out that one of them is the actual Blackbeard. Or Blackbeard never existed and the players have to cultivate the legend themselves after going back in time to see him. Or they arrive and Edward Teach is killed in the midst of the adventure but it doesn't change time for some strange reason. |
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Post by grinch on Oct 25, 2021 17:43:29 GMT
That just makes me think of an adventure where the players come across a "convention" (or gathering) of Blackbeard impersonators, and then it turns out that one of them is the actual Blackbeard. Or Blackbeard never existed and the players have to cultivate the legend themselves after going back in time to see him. Or they arrive and Edward Teach is killed in the midst of the adventure but it doesn't change time for some strange reason. The former would definitely work as the basis for a more comedic adventure. Maybe he’s been abducted from his natural time period to act as the guest of honour? (Cue the PCs having to fend off a few eager autograph hunters) Or someone has been playing around with a rogue Time Scoop? Having the PCs have to help cultivate the legend of Blackbeard would be an interesting one. Edward Teach could just be some hapless sailor who the PCs with the help of a few theatrics ends up earning his fearsome reputation. Either way, it would make for a nice commentary on the nature of legends. Where true ends and the fiction begins and all that. As well as to possibly allude to other figures such as Sweeny Todd or Paul Bunyan who were said to exist and who can be used for other adventures. |
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Catsmate
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Post by Catsmate on Oct 25, 2021 19:35:35 GMT
Absolutely.I vaguely remember that one, IIRR the Cybermen supply him with a hovercraft for some reason. There's also a time tunnel connecting the Caribbean with a space station. I never played it, but it struck me as pretty bad. I’ll have to try and track it down. If only to see how bad it is. I could see Blackbeard perhaps allying with the Cybermen for their advanced weaponry but otherwise I don’t see Blackbeard as the most logical choice of person to ally with on the part of the Cybermen. Be hard to convert the entire planet with just one seafaring vessel.
IIRR They published a pseudo-historical scenario in a different issue.
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Catsmate
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Post by Catsmate on Oct 25, 2021 19:40:06 GMT
One aspect of Blackbeard which, I think, would be interesting to emphasize in a DW adventure would be the way he built his own legend, deliberately cultivating the "ruthless pirate" image in a somewhat "psychological warfare" style (eg the whole "slow fuses" stuff)... perhaps the characters could discover some unexpected character traits behind all the Blackbeard façade... Another fun idea would be to use one or several "fake Blackbeards" / Blackbeard impersonators (with some "Pirate Robert" vibes from Princess Bride).
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Post by greyhame on Oct 25, 2021 22:09:51 GMT
I remember reading somewhere that, had the 8th Doctor series been made, Blackbeard would have featured in an episode entitled "The Pirates" - no idea what it would have been about, though.
Maybe it could give you a few ideas - if you can find out more about it?
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Post by grinch on Oct 25, 2021 22:40:13 GMT
One aspect of Blackbeard which, I think, would be interesting to emphasize in a DW adventure would be the way he built his own legend, deliberately cultivating the "ruthless pirate" image in a somewhat "psychological warfare" style (eg the whole "slow fuses" stuff)... perhaps the characters could discover some unexpected character traits behind all the Blackbeard façade... Another fun idea would be to use one or several "fake Blackbeards" / Blackbeard impersonators (with some "Pirate Robert" vibes from Princess Bride).
Actually, that just got me thinking. Maybe in a sense Edward Teach and Blackbeard are different people but are also in fact maybe one and the same. You could do the approach that Blackbeard is in fact the darker side of Teach made manifest due to being exposed to some alien technology. Maybe the Valeyard is out and about in the time period when he is active? |
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Catsmate
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Post by Catsmate on Oct 26, 2021 8:17:55 GMT
Excellent ideas. Was the Blackbeard who went back to sea in 1718 after being pardoned the same Teach?
Actually, that just got me thinking. Maybe in a sense Edward Teach and Blackbeard are different people but are also in fact maybe one and the same. You could do the approach that Blackbeard is in fact the darker side of Teach made manifest due to being exposed to some alien technology. Maybe the Valeyard is out and about in the time period when he is active?
It's an excellent idea, there are plenty of examples of such mind-altering technology in the Whoniverse.
Interestingly this could mesh with olegrand's point about the "ruthless pirate" image which does appear to be deliberately manufactured. What/whoever controlled or influenced Teach might be applying appropriate business methods for maximum effectiveness. Which reminds me of CGP Grey's excellent videos on the economics of piracy...
How to be a Pirate: Captain Edition
How to be a Pirate: Quartermaster Edition
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Post by soultaker666212 on Jun 17, 2023 17:58:12 GMT
Excellent ideas. Was the Blackbeard who went back to sea in 1718 after being pardoned the same Teach?
Actually, that just got me thinking. Maybe in a sense Edward Teach and Blackbeard are different people but are also in fact maybe one and the same. You could do the approach that Blackbeard is in fact the darker side of Teach made manifest due to being exposed to some alien technology. Maybe the Valeyard is out and about in the time period when he is active? So a kind of Jekyll and Hyde like scenario? I could see that being enjoyable in play to discover! |
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Catsmate
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Post by Catsmate on Jun 18, 2023 21:34:39 GMT
With regard to Teach (or whatever his real name was) the two videos by the always excellent CGP Grrey on the socio-economic basis of piracy are relevant, especially given Teach's carefully created and maintained image.
Captain Edition
Quartermaster Edition
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