Poll: Free Trader Beowulf - Victim or Pirate?

[Peter Newman]

Was the Free Trader Beowulf (from the cover of the CT box) actually the victim of an attack, or are they a pirate trying to lure someone in? Discuss.

 

[aramis]

To my mind, she's always been the victim.

But she really could be either, and a quick look at the encouter tables implies she's most likely not a pirate, but sure could be one.

 

[BigBadRon]

I always saw her as a victim too... maybe I'm just too trusting.

 

[mike wightman]

I used to think victim too.

But the fake mayday trying to lure some hapless passer-by is an interesting scenario to play out.

Perhaps a table of 6 possible results like the Patrons format...

 

[jwcarroll60]

I vote for victim...

 

[atpollard]

If not a victim, then she would need to be one of two pirate ships. If I heard a Mayday that a ship was under attack and my sensors detected only one ship, I would let the Navy handle it - unless I was a Q-ship. Good Hunting.

 

[Scott Martin]

<SNIP>
I would let the Navy handle it - unless I was a Q-ship. Good Hunting.

Wouldn't you then *be* the navy?

I vote Victim, but that's because I'm currently running the F-T Beowulf campaign, and she's on the ground with a broken spine and multiple hull breaches, with what's left of her "passengers" trying to evacuate the hulk through a factional gunbattle

The real question is "was it an inside job?"

Scott Martin

 

[aramis]

Wouldn't you then *be* the navy?

Not necessarily... starmercs and privateers ALSO operate Q-ships, and are not the Navy.

 

[Peter Newman]

In almost 30 years of Traveller experience I have always seen her as the victim, but last night I looked at the box cover and just went 'What if they're lying?'. If I were responding to their distress call, I'd sure be using my ships sensors to check them out on the way in to try and determine if she'd been hit, if she was armed, etc. Obviously how effective I'd be at determining this would depend on how good my sensors were, and what set of rules was used to determine how well, and at what range, I could determine this, but I (or my Sensor Ops person, who is probably the Navigator on most smaller ships) would be trying to figure this out.

 

[tewhill]

somehow reduced

It never occurred to think otherwise, until I read the top of the thread. My English teacher would have dubbed this a loss of innocence experience.

 

[pendragonman]

Wouldn't you then *be* the navy?

I vote Victim, but that's because I'm currently running the F-T Beowulf campaign, and she's on the ground with a broken spine and multiple hull breaches, with what's left of her "passengers" trying to evacuate the hulk through a factional gunbattle

The real question is "was it an inside job?"

Scott Martin

Tank here, with his two creds

It was an inside job, and I'm gonna pull his fairy little wings off by hand when I find him.

As to the general question:
It depends on whose aboard. You are never the victim if you have Imperial Marines aboard. OOOOOOO RAAAAAAAHHH!

 

[boomslang]

Was the Free Trader Beowulf (from the cover of the CT box) actually the victim of an attack, or are they a pirate trying to lure someone in? Discuss.

Now you can see why, when responding to a distress call (as regulations and/or common decency may require), I always run dark & silent until I get a good recon of the situation...

:devil:

 

[hunter]

The victim, but then again I honestly never considered that she might not be what she appears...silly me...

 

[Peter Newman]

The victim, but then again I honestly never considered that she might not be what she appears...silly me...

"Excellent! If I've corrupted Hunter my work here is done...."

Exits, stage left, pursued by a bear.

[1] Said in my best Montogomery Burns voice, while rubbing my hands together.

 

[Foxroe]

Definitely a victim.

If not a victim, then the game designers were trying to pull one over on us, and I refuse to believe that they would do such a thing.

- Fox

 

[far-trader]

Ah well, my vote is victim, it's the way I mostly go with it and figured MWM meant it. But I have always had it pegged as a possible shark, and if not shark then maybe bait :devil:

Yeah, those of you cautious enough to check may find a Type T in the area. If you ask them though they'll remind you that per Imperial regs you being the nearest ship have to render what aid you can, at least until they arrive...

What? The Type T is a pirate? Nahhh :devil:

(the pirate hunters may use bait too and see what you do to the poor "victim" asking for help... )

 

[robject]

It was an inside job, and I'm gonna pull his fairy little wings off by hand when I find him.

Sounds like something the Beowulf's captain would say, I think.