#Everybody knows that piracy exists and we all take advantage of that fact

[themainspoon]

I mean a huge problem with DnD at the moment is that it monopolises the TTRPG space to the point where it's difficult to find people willing to play anything else. Sure piracy fixes the whole "giving them money" issue, but if you refuse to play anything but DnD you still perpetuate that monopoly.

There are also a lot of people using DnD for stories it wasn't made to accomodate. DnD is a combat focused TTRPG about playing as adventures who go on adventures to kill things, explore dungeons, and grab treasure. If you want to do other things, than there are other TTRPG systems that will do those things better than DnD. This is not because DnD is a "bad game", but because DnD isn't designed to do those things.

You can also pirate other systems, you can find PDF's of sourcebooks for most games just floating around on online libraries, it's not hard at all.

Sharing free resources is cool, and homebrew is also cool, but wouldn't it be even cooler if more people made resources and homebrew for other games? Wouldn't it be more fun if we had vibrant intersecting communities for many different TTRPG systems?

I don't get why people who play DnD exclusively get so defensive about this. There are lots of other games out there. Some of them may better accommodate the type of games you want to play, and it's even possible that you may have more fun playing a variety of TTRPG's (including DnD) than you are currently having trying to make every concept work in a combat focused swords and sorcery TTRPG.

I swear if I see another "go play something else" person on my dash I will get violent because y'all are so fucking annoying, how about you get a life and stop telling people what to play, you high horse riding jobless elitists?

am I going to buy any WoTC resource? no, they can go fuck themselves. but you know there is an option of... not paying for shit? like not a single dime?

so stop hiding your annoying elitism behind being "anti-capitalist" and "anti-corporation". there are people literally sharing free resources on this hellsite. I run an entire game with none of my players owning a single official thing from WoTC, neither do I.

shut up <3

[proactive-genius]

Our waterways are dangerous and unpredictable. Every day, we hear of ship mishaps in the Atlantic. These occurrences are sometimes unexpected. Nevertheless, ship owners can mitigate these mishaps.  The sea is one huge hub of misfortune. One of such misfortune is that of sea piracy. It is a nuisance to the sea.

We hear of sea pirates in Hollywood movies. We watch these movies and wonder if such things ever existed. One of these films is the Pirate of the Caribbean. These pirates go after ships full of treasures and monies. They are mean, desperate, and dangerous. The sea is their familiar territory. The know how to swim towards targets, maneuver through obstacles and disarm their victims.

However, the pirates of the 16th to 19th centuries are quite different from that of the 21st century. The pirates of the 21st century are sophisticated, intelligent, and tech-savvy. Unlike the pirates of the past centuries who relied more on instincts and determination to get what they want.

These new sets of pirates go after ships carrying crude oil, precious metals, and goods worth millions of dollars. They have mastered the act of subduing large ships even with their little speed boats carrying AK 47 rifles and explosives.

Curiously, one wonders how small boats with four to five crew members on it are able to overpower large ships with sophisticated weapons, and logistics. I will be dissecting strategists for defeating these pirates, and solutions too.

What are the strategists crewmen can come up with to either avoid or defeat these pirates? How can ship captains and their crew map out a logical and solution-driven blueprint to overpower these sea devils? Why are they always succeeding with their loots despite their small numbers and weapons?

The answer lies in the plans the ship owners put in place, and how they implement.

1. They create fear to subdue their victims

These pirates are cowards who out of desperation create an atmosphere of fear. They know that the crew members of a ship are vulnerable to risk such as losing their valuables, ship, and lives. Therefore, there is a psychological fear already within the crew. The pirates take advantage of this fear to overwhelm.

As the pirates approach, they keep shooting in the air and throwing high explosives; using militarized tactics to create confusion. They know that if they approach from a linear or one-sided position, the ship can defeat them.  Again, the pirates can threaten to blow up the ship if they try to shoot at them. Unfortunately, out of fear, they surrender.

Now, to remain safe, the crew members of the ship should stand their ground and dare the pirates. The pirates value their lives as well as the crew in the ship. It is a fifty-fifty situation. The pirates as I said before are cowards who use bullying methods to put off defensive stance from the approaching ships.

Fear is psychological. It comes and it goes. The captain and his crew should be confident, bold, and daring. Although nobody can predict human behavior, the pirates can carry out their threats. Nevertheless, it is best you remain confident.

2. The pirates depend on time

Time is a factor for these pirates. They are desperate and if they delay on the sea, their luck might run out. They time their mission and try to stay within that framework. That is why it is better to use delay tactics to beat time. They have carried out their research beforehand and they must do everything to work within that time parameter.

Again, from experience garnered over the year from piracy, these pirates know what and when to attack and retreat.

3. They have informants

This is unbelievable but it is true. The pirates have informants within and outside the ship. They feed the pirates with enough information to eliminate their failure rates. Yet, it could come from somewhere unknown, like from suppliers, junior staff not part of the crew, etc. it can also come from people whose job is to buy from the pirates at cheaper prices and resell to make huge profits. They supply the pirates with speedboats and sophisticated weapons.

Therefore, the captain should know to whom he is sharing information. He should be discreet about information that can leave them vulnerable to dangers.  Some people can’t just keep their mouth shut. It is a big problem with certain humans.

When information is compromised, potential attacks are inevitable. Secrets are sacred and only trusted people should be allowed to have access to certain information. It can’t be for everybody.

4. Use technology to protect yourselves

The use of technology is a huge factor in defeating these pirates. Access control, CCTVs, and fire alarms can be your saving grace in times of need. Close Circuit Cameras can detect pirates miles away with industrial cameras or PTZs. Access control can grant access to certain individuals through bio-metrics features.

Fire alarms can prevent fire by alerting crews in the control room. In fact, using these gadgets is a sure way of eliminating potential dangers. Your binoculars should be handy as well. In case of a sinking ship, are your life jackets in the right spots?

5. Have a superb blueprint

A team of experts can draft a strategic blueprint to mitigate potential dangers. These blueprints can come from people who have such experiences such as those with military background or security consultants.

The blueprint must cover areas that are vulnerable to attack. They should look into blind spots along these routes. They should avoid routes that are prone to deadly attacks.

6. There should be escort boats

If the ship is unable to stand the fire power of the pirates, smaller battle ships must be on standby. Two or three on both sides can put fear on the pirates. This can scare them away. Again, a reconnaissance boat can move ahead to carry out surveillance routine before coming back to give feedback

Unfortunately, most ships can’t afford the cost of these military hardware or due to militarized hardware restrictions in certain territories. However, it is better to spend on assets that have high risk than those with small risk. Prevention is better than cure.

7. Avoid dangerous routes

Why are constant attacks of ships very rampant? It is because the easiest routes are those the pirates use and target the most. These routes are like short cut to ships destinations. However, according to them, it better to risk it than the long delay on the sea.

Route in the Atlantic oceans bordering Africa through North America is very vulnerable. West African pirates and Central Africa and down to North Africa are always laying ambush for ships going to and coming from their destinations.

Those who are involved in these dastardly acts are from Nigerian, Ivory Coast and Somalia. Some of them are militants, rebels, and misfit revolutionists

8. Work with countries bordering these routes

There are countries that don’t approve of the activities of these pirates. The owners of these ships can collaborate with them to find lasting solutions to this nuisance. These countries have the military might to defeat them.

A round table meeting by captain of industries must come up to discuss, brainstorm, and dissect burning issues surrounding these menaces.

9. Work with NGO

The owners of these ships can invite NGO to enlighten the youths against the dangers of piracy by offering them jobs.

Most of these youths got into piracy because they are jobless. The perpetrators of these piracy acts lured them into it to keep body and soul together. An idle mind is the devils workshop so goes an adage. It a cliché, it is very apt.

 10. In the case of hostage taking

Sometimes, they abduct for ransom and hold the crew members hostage. This is very critical and dangerous. Out of desperation, if their demands aren’t met on time, the pirates can kill all on board.

Therefore, it is either they pay the ransom or their colleagues can be in danger of death. It takes a long time for the negotiators to reach the location of the hostage. What do they do? They should try to buy time and strategize more.

The government of these countries can come in to offer protection. This is risky because the pirates might not like it.

Photo Credits: The economist and Japantimes

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      How to defeat pirates on the sea Our waterways are dangerous and unpredictable. Every day, we hear of ship mishaps in the Atlantic. These occurrences are sometimes unexpected.