High Piracy Speculation

[Cpt. Soup]

Hello to all who read this! This thread is devoted to finding the truth of pirates, what makes a pirate a pirate? Pirates have always been one of the foundations of geekdom but can a pirate be, but can a pirate be summed up as this? (http://devinjohnston.ca/system/files/pirate.png) or in more recent times.. ugh, this!? (http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/05_01/depp_468x572.jpg) It is my deep belief that being a pirate transcends mere eyepatches and parrots!

Through years of meticulous research in various esteemed universities I have come to the conclusion that the core principle of piracy is found in the definition of the word itself. So I wikied it and the first line of the article read as such:


Piracy is robbery committed at sea, or sometimes on shore, without permission from a nation.

I noticed that the word piracy appeared to be connected with robbery, and was merely a seaside variant of it. Given that the word pirate has also been applied to those operating in the sky as well as in space I thought to myself that perhaps the article on robbery could cast more light on the matter. And so I pressed on:


Robbery is the crime of seizing property through violence or intimidation. More precisely, at common law, robbery was defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear;[1] the precise definition of robbery varies between jurisdictions.

I have come to the conclusion that the core Principle of Piracy is stealing from another while making sure they're actively aware of this act. With this new revelation my thoughts spurned back to another aspect of piracy, its seemly eternal war with the ninja. What began it in the first place? What divided these two icons of pop culture so completely? At that moment it hit me, ninjas make sure the people they wrong are unaware of them, this is the absolute division between the core of these two mighty powers. Pirates rob and murder while being sure that all are aware of their existence and actions while ninja skulk in shadows, light and darkness.

This grand principle this guiding point that envelopes all of what is pirate is not all of what is pirate, there are many things that make a pirate a pirate and that is the point of this thread!! Share your own views of piracy In my opinion Piracy is not limited to those that rove the sea, oh no, theres Arsonists, Bandidos, Bandits, Bootleggers, Bravos, Brigands, Butchers, Buccaneers, Burglars, Cads, Charlatans, Cheats, Con Artists, Convict, Corsairs, Crooks, Culprits, Cutthroats, Dastards, Delinquents, Desperados, Despoilers, Felons, Filibusters, Frauds, Freebooters, Fugitives, Gangsters, Goons, Ghost Pirates, Heavies, Highwaymen, Hijackers, Hoods, Jacks, Kidnappers, Killers, Knaves, Lawbreakers, Ladrones, Larcenists, Looters, Louses, Lowlifes, Malefactors, Marauders, Miscreants, Muggers, Murderers, Ne'er-do-wells, Outlaws, Pirates, Privateers, Picaroons, Pillagers, Plagiarizes, Plunderers, Racketeers, Raiders, Rapscallions, Rascals, Rats, Reavers, Robbers, Rogues, Ruffians, Rustlers, Scallywags, Scamps, Scoundrels, Sea Dogs, Sea Wolfs, Sky Pirates, Smugglers, Software Pirates, Space Pirates, Swindlers, Thugs, Toughs, Traitors, and Vikings!

Yes I pretty much emptied the thesaurus out, they are the endless league! And as the tide rises so do they!!

------------------------------------------------

The rules are simple, there is only one rule, don't be dull and start quoting some point about what "actual pirates are like" no one cares about that so go and inflate your ego elsewhere. I come up with many ideas about what piracy is already from my boundless popcuture knowledge in all things I regard as pirate.

Make points about what you think a pirate is, offer examples and and argue, later I will likely make up a charter of piracy in this post. examples of true piracy may come from books, television, movies plays and whatever else you can scrounge up, keep dullard concepts like "reality" to a minimum.

I really do hope this thread takes off, perhaps a ninja thread will emerge at some point and I can crush it!!

[Rutskarn]

Pirates are filthy, unskilled vermin marinating in cheap grog and cheaper thrills, who will be crushed by their ninja overlords.

And I've proved their supremacy by ninja'ing all the pirate posters.

(throws down smoke powder)

[SurlySeraph]

I find modern pirates (http://huntoftheseawolves.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/060706-modern-pirates_big.jpg) much more interesting than archaic ones.

[Cpt. Soup]

Curse you Rutskarn! This is the last straw!! I was supposed to seize control of this forum as the rising star! You and your blog shall pay!!

I will crush your miserable little character in the freeform section as soon as I write up a bio! I declare a vendetta between us! I shall have my vengeance for these slights against me!!

[Rutskarn]

I'd like to see you try!

(quietly) Oh crap oh crap oh crap oh crap

[Jayngfet]

Of course archaic pirates had a whole lot of good things going for them

...so long as you were another archaic pirate. But pirate/pirate relations were better than Navy/Navy relations.

[bosssmiley]

Pirates are filthy, unskilled vermin marinating in cheap grog and cheaper thrills...

Hey, wenches and mead (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=csHTqMG7zUo); what's not to love? :smallconfused:

This (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RisL9l8HzmM) is proper piracy. Buried treasure, grim shanties, hand-shotguns, the works. :smallcool:

♪ Oh when I was just a lad, searching for my true vocation,
My father said "Now son, this choice deserves deliberation.
Though you could be a doctor, or perhaps a financier
My boy why not consider a more challenging career? (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HdK4yxgzxWY)" ♫

Pirate = bandit + boat. The boat is essential, even if it's only a pedal-boat. Although I understand shopping trolleys can substitute for boats in the case of supermarket piracy (http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Supermarket_20Pirates).

[Satyr]

I am not sure about the boat thing. There was always a long-standing tradition of coastal piracy, setting wrong lighthouse signals so that incoming ships ground, and can be plundered by the coastal populace.

[pendell]

You folks do know that piracy (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/world/africa/16pirate.html?bl&ex=1229662800&en=2e515ecfd65bac73&ei=5087%0A) is big business again?



in the past two months alone, the pirates have attacked more than 30 vessels, eluding the naval patrols, going farther out to sea and seeking bigger, more lucrative game, including an American cruise ship and a 1,000-foot Saudi oil tanker.

The pirates are recalibrating their tactics, attacking ships in beelike swarms of 20 to 30 skiffs, and threatening to choke off one of the busiest shipping arteries in the world, at the mouth of the Red Sea.

United Nations officials recently estimated that Somali pirates had netted as much as $120 million this year in ransom payments — an astronomical sum for a country whose economy has been gutted by 17 years of chaos and war. Some shipping companies are now rerouting their vessels to avoid Somalia’s waters, detouring thousands of miles around the Cape of Good Hope, at the southern tip of Africa.


Heck, last month they hijacked a load of T-72 tanks (http://www.salem-news.com/articles/december082008/somali_pirates_12-8-08.php), for which they will receive several million in ransom.

Fundamentally, pirates are romantic when they are hundreds of years in the past. What they are in reality are seafaring armed robbers. A problem that was gone for quite some time, but is now back in full force.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[Cpt. Soup]

You folks do know that piracy (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/world/africa/16pirate.html?bl&ex=1229662800&en=2e515ecfd65bac73&ei=5087%0A) is big business again?



Heck, last month they hijacked a load of T-72 tanks (http://www.salem-news.com/articles/december082008/somali_pirates_12-8-08.php), for which they will receive several million in ransom.

Fundamentally, pirates are romantic when they are hundreds of years in the past. What they are in reality are seafaring armed robbers. A problem that was gone for quite some time, but is now back in full force.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

What really gets me about this is you somehow stated exactly what I said in the first post, that pirates are armed robbers. It's almost like you didn't read past the first sentance where I said "this thread is devoted to the true of piracy!" Its almost a joke really! Here I thought this little block of text would manage to grab attention and possibly be followed, my lofty hopes of this are now dashed, allow me to restate the ONE RULE:


The rules are simple, there is only one rule, don't be dull and start quoting some point about what "actual pirates are like" no one cares about that so go and inflate your ego elsewhere.

I'm not interested in reality whats there to discuss if I was!? And if people are going to bring up "modern pirates" make the attempt to find reference to them from a media source, don't be smart and quote a news article to me though.

In other news Satyr might be talking about something like what was in the book The Wreckers (http://www.readingmatters.co.uk/book.php?id=222), where a town near a sea cliff lured ships into shoals and then collected what washed up on shore the next day.

I also pose a question to bosssmiley, why should piracy be limited to those with boats? Allow me to show an example of a pirate not bound by a boat, Don Karnage, the sky pirate captain from talespin. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZtTjMRxWRM) note how he takes offense to being called a robber, it's clearly his belief that piracy is on a higher level, piracy is robbery with style!

It seems I need to get this ball rolling myself now. The new point on the table is now pirates and music. Would would music and song have to do with being a pirate!? God help the pretentious person that mentions the word "real" again.

[TRM]

I also pose a question to bosssmiley, why should piracy be limited to those with boats? Allow me to show an example of a pirate not bound by a boat, Don Karnage, the sky pirate captain from talespin. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZtTjMRxWRM) note how he takes offense to being called a robber, it's clearly his belief that piracy is on a higher level, piracy is robbery with style!

It seems I need to get this ball rolling myself now. The new point on the table is now pirates and music. Would would music and song have to do with being a pirate!? God help the pretentious person that mentions the word "real" again.
What a pirate needs is a ship. He can man an airship or a sailing ship, but he isn't a pirate if he marauds on foot—nor if he plunders from horseback; then he is nothing more than a base bandit! The difference between an airship and a water boat is negligible for a pirate.

Pirates must also have dashing coats, hats, eye patches, and other buccaneer gear. A person in a boat with a gun who plunders merchant vessels is not a pirate. A person in a seven-masted sailing ship with an eye patch, a jauntily tilted hat (http://www.legendarytoys.com/media/EL-A3461-lg.jpg), a flint-lock pistol, and a sabre is a pirate.

[pendell]

Sorry, Soup. I got as far as




Yes I pretty much emptied the thesaurus out, they are the endless league! And as the tide rises so do they!!


that sentence before writing my response. Didn't see the one rule further down. Apologies.

Heh. Regardless. Another thing about pirates is that pirates don't obey the rules of miserable landlubbers. Avast! Yer thread is being hijacked! Arr.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[kpenguin]

What a pirate needs is a ship. He can man an airship or a sailing ship, but he isn't a pirate if he marauds on foot—nor if he plunders from horseback; then he is nothing more than a base bandit! The difference between an airship and a water boat is negligible for a pirate.

What about raiding towns on the coast? Aren't they on foot then?

[Rutskarn]

Avast! Yer thread is being hijacked! Arr.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

Never before has your signature signoff been used to more hilarious effect.

At least, in my experience. Did I miss one where he wished that his opponent's eyeballs would melt out of his skull, capillaries snapping one by one, excruciating pain resulting? Respectfully?

[Gaelbert]

This calls for PIRATE METAL! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csHTqMG7zUo)

[Athaniar]

No, this calls for EUROVISION PIRATES (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CVHP6nH2bY&feature=channel_page)! And STUPID PIRATE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JImcvtJzIK8&feature=channel_page) STATEMENT REMIXES! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRcj6CAhe7s&feature=channel_page)

[Gaelbert]

SKY PIRATES! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WrPWFn7e2c)

Also, the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie soundtrack has a remix of the classic theme by DJ Tiesto.

[Cpt. Soup]

What a pirate needs is a ship. He can man an airship or a sailing ship, but he isn't a pirate if he marauds on foot—nor if he plunders from horseback; then he is nothing more than a base bandit! The difference between an airship and a water boat is negligible for a pirate.

Pirates must also have dashing coats, hats, eye patches, and other buccaneer gear. A person in a boat with a gun who plunders merchant vessels is not a pirate. A person in a seven-masted sailing ship with an eye patch, a jauntily tilted hat (http://www.legendarytoys.com/media/EL-A3461-lg.jpg), a flint-lock pistol, and a sabre is a pirate.
So you're one of those then? You think that wearing an eyepatch and loitering on a ship is what makes a pirate a pirate?

This is really distressing, I look around at all of you that dropped links on the thread and its apparent to me how widespread the misinformation is. You've all bean mislead by the anti-pirate propaganda scheme of ninjas, these examples you've posted are in true examples of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything! These are false pirates! they look like pirates but in fact they don't act like pirates at all. While these preteders have existed almost as long as pirates themselves have, in recent times the cowardly ninja have manipulated the media to portray pirates as the abominations seen in films like Pirates of the Caribbean, A particularly low blow was dealt in the third film when the parody Captain Barbossa used the word Arr! as a pun on the word "are." Other examples of the ninja's evil is the "Talk like a pirate day" another attempt to undermine piracy.

Can't you all see? The image of pirates sitting on a ship going yohoho and a bottle of rum, is an attack against all pirates! warping them into some joke in the eyes of the public!!

[Blue Ghost]

I would agree. Pirates do not need to have ridiculous eyepatches or hooks or say "Arr" all the time. A pirate is a sea rat. Simple as that. Get a ship, harass and kill sailors of other ships, take their booty (whatever it may be), and you're a pirate. Nothing else required.

[kpenguin]

And yet... your avatar seems to support the "yo-ho-ho pirate" image, Cpt. Soup.

[chiasaur11]

Pirates are filthy, unskilled vermin marinating in cheap grog and cheaper thrills, who will be crushed by their ninja overlords.

And I've proved their supremacy by ninja'ing all the pirate posters.

(throws down smoke powder)

After all, we all know the Origins of the pirate/ninja feud.

The ninjas thought it was funny.

[BizzaroStormy]

This calls for PIRATE METAL! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csHTqMG7zUo)

What are you talking about? You never need a reason for pirate metal.

[Rutskarn]

After all, we all know the Origins of the pirate/ninja feud.

The ninjas thought it was funny.

Yes. (http://www.drmcninja.com/page.php?pageNum=32&issue=2)

Exactly.

[chiasaur11]

Yes. (http://www.drmcninja.com/page.php?pageNum=32&issue=2)

Exactly.

See, that's another point for ninjas.
Ninja doctors are amazingly competent, to the point of working on a cure for death.

Pirate doctors...
there's a reason for the eyepatches, peg legs, hooks...

The reason is pirate doctors aren't good at their jobs, by the way.

[TRM]

So you're one of those then? You think that wearing an eyepatch and loitering on a ship is what makes a pirate a pirate?

This is really distressing, I look around at all of you that dropped links on the thread and its apparent to me how widespread the misinformation is. You've all bean mislead by the anti-pirate propaganda scheme of ninjas, these examples you've posted are in true examples of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything! These are false pirates! they look like pirates but in fact they don't act like pirates at all. While these preteders have existed almost as long as pirates themselves have, in recent times the cowardly ninja have manipulated the media to portray pirates as the abominations seen in films like Pirates of the Caribbean, A particularly low blow was dealt in the third film when the parody Captain Barbossa used the word Arr! as a pun on the word "are." Other examples of the ninja's evil is the "Talk like a pirate day" another attempt to undermine piracy.

Can't you all see? The image of pirates sitting on a ship going yohoho and a bottle of rum, is an attack against all pirates! warping them into some joke in the eyes of the public!!
Absolutely incorrect. You are strawmanning my argument! The necessary components of a real pirate are:

A ship (flying or nautical).
Pirate garb (including any or all of: cutlass, pistol/rifle [flintlock or old fashioned], sailors' hat, bandanna, daggers, eye patch, and hook).
A penchant for plundering other vessels (vessels in particular, though they can occasionally ravage a town or village).

Pirates do not have to speak in "pirate lingo," act like buffoons, or anything of the sort. But, simply, you cannot be a pirate without dressing like one. Just like you can't be a ninja in an orange jumpsuit, you can't be a true pirate in a business suit, or a suit of armor.

[Dispozition]

I find Heavy Metal Pirates to be the best sort available right now :D
http://www.alestorm.net/myspace/hmp-cover.jpg

[Cpt. Soup]

Absolutely incorrect. You are strawmanning my argument! The necessary components of a real pirate are:

A ship (flying or nautical).
Pirate garb (including any or all of: cutlass, pistol/rifle [flintlock or old fashioned], sailors' hat, bandanna, daggers, eye patch, and hook).
A penchant for plundering other vessels (vessels in particular, though they can occasionally ravage a town or village).

Pirates do not have to speak in "pirate lingo," act like buffoons, or anything of the sort. But, simply, you cannot be a pirate without dressing like one. Just like you can't be a ninja in an orange jumpsuit, you can't be a true pirate in a business suit, or a suit of armor.

Posters I believe that this "Rogue Monk" is an agent of the ninja sent to sabotage and besmirch the ideals of piracy with cheap cosmetic effect, note the username.

The reason for the avatar kpenguin, is that I haven't got around to making my own, I am by no means damning those hat wear bananas and eyepatches, but those things are not what makes a pirate.

To Those sheep that blindly follow the anti-pirate propaganda and lies of this "Dr. Mcninja comic" do you honestly believe that ludicrous story concocted by those cowards? Any ninja that actually believes such crass has its head firmly inserted up its own rectum.

[TRM]

Posters I believe that this "Rogue Monk" is an agent of the ninja sent to sabotage and besmirch the ideals of piracy with cheap cosmetic effect, note the username.

The reason for the avatar kpenguin, is that I haven't got around to making my own, I am by no means damning those hat wear bananas and eyepatches, but those things are not what makes a pirate.

To Those sheep that blindly follow the anti-pirate propaganda and lies of this "Dr. Mcninja comic" do you honestly believe that ludicrous story concocted by those cowards? Any ninja that actually believes such crass has its head firmly inserted up its own rectum.
You're carefully avoiding refuting my statements, Captain Soup.

And, naturally, I take a lack of dissent as proof that I am correct!

[Cpt. Soup]

You're carefully avoiding refuting my statements, Captain Soup.

Very well then, I agree that garb is to a degree important in a pirate, but not as you see it. As I see it Everything about a pirate is derivative from the core principle: taking from another while they are actively aware of you doing so. a pirates garb is apart of this. Unlike the vile and sneaky ninja a true pirate wants to be seen, wants to be noticed, and so dresses brightly in decadent colours, and other things to catch the eye. Another thing is looking unpleasant, it wont do to have a pirate be dazzling, people might get the wrong idea and think they're an upstanding sort of person. A little dirt goes a long way, words greasy, oily, dirty, disheveled, mean and crusty should be applied to fine examples of pirates.

Another thing you mentioned was weapons, why exactly should a pirate be limited to a flintlock pistol or cutlass when something abit more high caliber is available? I shall link an example of what I define as pirate. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGLinT-Pdyo) Notice how one Wing Kong makes a point of firing off a warning shot before they lay into them? Note how they dress to be noticed? How they maintain an air of thuggery while being decently dressed?

Why do you cling to your boats Monk when theres limbs to break and wealth to take!? Why be limited to period costume and arms? Why just have everything in the water? There's so much more beyond the shore!!

[kpenguin]

Are vikings pirates?

[Rutskarn]

and Vikings!



I would say yes.

[Cpt. Soup]

Yes as the zombie mentioned vikings are, recently vikings have received endorsement from BMW. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZlhzENCGLw) Another step in the grand march of piracy towards ultimate power and wealth.

[chiasaur11]

Yes as the zombie mentioned vikings are, recently vikings have received endorsement from BMW. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZlhzENCGLw) Another step in the grand march of piracy towards ultimate power and wealth.

Drunkenly stumbling in the wrong direction.

[Jayngfet]

Are vikings pirates?

Yes, they're the best kind of pirate, except for the sky pirates.


Also, has anyone got an example of underground pirates? I'd kill to see pirates drilling through the earth attacking miners.


Also Also, always good to see more alestorm fans.

[Myatar_Panwar]

Man. I came here to plug some Alestorm, but it looks like 3 others already beat me to it. :smallbiggrin:

[Bryn]

Also, has anyone got an example of underground pirates? I'd kill to see pirates drilling through the earth attacking miners.
A few things come close. Rockfish, by Blur Studios, has giant underground worm-things which apparently attack miners - just add eyepatch. At Games Day there was a model of a dwarven drilling machine in Golden Daemon. Replace dwarf with pirate. People ride sand-worms in Dune (I think), I'm sure they'd make incredible piratical raiding creatures.

Sadly, no actual pirates yet. I sense an opening. Arr!

[TRM]

Very well then, I agree that garb is to a degree important in a pirate, but not as you see it. As I see it Everything about a pirate is derivative from the core principle: taking from another while they are actively aware of you doing so. a pirates garb is apart of this. Unlike the vile and sneaky ninja a true pirate wants to be seen, wants to be noticed, and so dresses brightly in decadent colours, and other things to catch the eye. Another thing is looking unpleasant, it wont do to have a pirate be dazzling, people might get the wrong idea and think they're an upstanding sort of person. A little dirt goes a long way, words greasy, oily, dirty, disheveled, mean and crusty should be applied to fine examples of pirates.

Another thing you mentioned was weapons, why exactly should a pirate be limited to a flintlock pistol or cutlass when something abit more high caliber is available? I shall link an example of what I define as pirate. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGLinT-Pdyo) Notice how one Wing Kong makes a point of firing off a warning shot before they lay into them? Note how they dress to be noticed? How they maintain an air of thuggery while being decently dressed?

Why do you cling to your boats Monk when theres limbs to break and wealth to take!? Why be limited to period costume and arms? Why just have everything in the water? There's so much more beyond the shore!!
You partially convinced me, and I suppose I should rescind some of my comments. The core of a pirate is their appearance and attitude.

http://www.onlineghibli.com/laputa/newimages/Dola.jpg
http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/6130/blacklagoonet8.jpg
The first is clearly a pirate; the second, you're not sure. The woman could be a mercenary, a bounty-hunter, an assassin—pirate does not spring to mind. However, in the show, she is a pirate; she raids vessels openly, she robs, and kills—all pirate behavior.

If she were wearing a bandanna, she would appear a pirate; if she were wielding two old-fashioned pistols, she would appear a pirate. In essence, she would really be a pirate.

The best course of action for me here is to expand my definition of what a pirate looks like in order to clearly document my beliefs.

A pirate is hap-hazard; they're weaponry, vessels, and clothing all appear almost patched together; they adore hats, bandannas, buckles, old-fashioned looking weapons, and anything that makes them look rugged. Dirt is not necessary, they can be clean and still a pirate.

I did change my definition slightly, but there's no reason to stick to an incorrect point of view after you've changed your mind.

And:

Why just have everything in the water?
Again! You misconstrue my arguments!

[Jayngfet]

All this alestorm and no one mentions running wild (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RhJ2hBNerc), the original pirate metal?

[Thiel]

Are vikings pirates?
Oh yes.
Let's see, according to Cpt. Soup, is defined by three criteria:
1) They Steal Stuff: Depending on who you ask, a significant part of Scandinavia's economy was based on stolen goods.
2) The make it abundantly clear that they're doing so: Let's see, they had a tendency to burn down cities and then leave them a message telling the survivors that they'd be back next year to do it again if they didn't get paid. Taking over entire countries is also a good way to do it.
3) They follow a lose dress code: Picture (http://lib.lbcc.edu/handouts/images/Vikings/vikings3.jpg)

Yes as the zombie mentioned vikings are, recently vikings have received endorsement from BMW. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZlhzENCGLw) Another step in the grand march of piracy towards ultimate power and wealth.
Less cars, speedoes and horned helmets and more beheading and raping.


All this alestorm and no one mentions running wild (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RhJ2hBNerc), the original pirate metal?

Gaah, none of that. Here's some real viking metal. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyaxCx7kAQ)

[Cpt. Soup]

...And I return.




Also, has anyone got an example of underground pirates? I'd kill to see pirates drilling through the earth attacking miners.


Another possible example could be the expedition team in Atlantis: The Lost Empire. I suspect they would have cheerfully slaughtered their way through the Atlantians to their prize. At least they would have if it wan't for some dull and morally bound archeologist.

I'm begining to think my argument with rogue monk is the main thing keeping this thread going now, I mean others comment, the ninja pleasers shoot in and out but noones diving into the thick of it!


The best course of action for me here is to expand my definition of what a pirate looks like in order to clearly document my beliefs.

A pirate is hap-hazard; they're weaponry, vessels, and clothing all appear almost patched together; they adore hats, bandannas, buckles, old-fashioned looking weapons, and anything that makes them look rugged. Dirt is not necessary, they can be clean and still a pirate.

Oh so close! So close to the my outer points of piracy! The main Principle over the next hill! In any case I'll tell you what I used as reference to help me gather all my points. What is the opposite of a pirate? a ninja of course. A ninja is quiet so then a pirate is not, a ninja is disciplined, a pirate is not, a ninja wears drab and dark colours to hide, A pirate does not. The list goes on! Another interesting thing I noticed about pirates is that they are beings of contradiction! Although a pirate may appear unseemly and like the scum at the bottom of the barrel, his look is as calculated as family readying for Sunday mass! A pirate strives for individuality, but is easily enveloped in a mob of similar murderous beacons. A pirate, despite murdering, raping, torturing, and robbing on a regular basis manages in almost all corners of media to maintain an edge of humor throughout. once again the list goes on. Feel free to add opposites to ninja or pirate contrasts!

On a final note, Rogue monk made mention to hats. Hats, hats, hats, what is a hat to a pirate? Is it more to them then it is to others?

[Rutskarn]

What is the opposite of a pirate? a ninja of course. A ninja is quiet so then a pirate is not, a ninja is disciplined, a pirate is not, a ninja wears drab and dark colours to hide, A pirate does not. The list goes on!

Indeed it does!

A ninja has brains. A pirate does not.

A ninja is classy. A pirate is not.

A ninja is skilled. A pirate is not.

A ninja is hygienic. A pirate is not.

A ninja's breath always smells like lilacs. A pirate smells of whatever swill he last forced down his gullet.

[Cpt. Soup]

Indeed it does!

A ninja has brains. A pirate does not.

A ninja is classy. A pirate is not.

A ninja is skilled. A pirate is not.

A ninja is hygienic. A pirate is not.

A ninja's breath always smells like lilacs. A pirate smells of whatever swill he last forced down his gullet.

I was expecting something along this line, we could could keep going until we get to a ninja breaths air. I disagree on the first three, the fourth is iffy. You dare to call ninjas classy? Pirates are classy you fool!! I also doubt ninja's have good breath as they never remove their bloody masks.

[Rutskarn]

I was expecting something along this line, we could could keep going until we get to a ninja breaths air.

You sure about that one, Sparky?


I disagree on the first three,

You can't argue with science fact.


the fourth is iffy. You dare to call ninjas classy? Pirates are classy you fool!!

Classy like a day-old dead monkey hanging, by its entrails, from a chandelier at a fancy dress party. Over the punch bowl.


I also doubt ninja's have good breath as they never remove their bloody masks.

Don't have to. The Gods of Awesome place free breath mints in a ninja's mouth every few minutes. Taste like fruit-flavored altoids.

[Dervag]

A ninja has brains. A pirate does not.Yup. Doesn't take any brains to navigate across oceans by starlight. No sirree.


A ninja is skilled. A pirate is not.Let's see a ninja tack into the teeth of a roaring gale, and then we'll talk about skills. Ninjas have the skills required to do their job; pirates have the skills required to do their job. It balances out.


A ninja's breath always smells like lilacs. A pirate smells of whatever swill he last forced down his gullet.This can only be because ninjas like to eat lilacs, and what kind of habit is that for a warrior?:smallconfused:

[Rutskarn]

Yup. Doesn't take any brains to navigate across oceans by starlight. No sirree.

I just so happens that ninja science has already investigated this one.Turns out, they have a sort of gestalt field that guides them to new sources of ale and plunder. It equates to a sort of animal instinct.



Let's see a ninja tack into the teeth of a roaring gale, and then we'll talk about skills. Ninjas have the skills required to do their job; pirates have the skills required to do their job. It balances out.

Ninjas can. Never know when you need to kill someone at sea, and of course killing pirates is always good times.



This can only be because ninjas like to eat lilacs, and what kind of habit is that for a warrior?:smallconfused:
[/QUOTE]

Breath mints. Divine breath mints.

[Lert, A.]

I always found it interesting that a pirate that stole horses was still called a pirate and not a horse thief.

/derailed thought process

[chiasaur11]

I always found it interesting that a pirate that stole horses was still called a pirate and not a horse thief.

/derailed thought process

It's because Pirates can't remember more than one term for themselves, so they stick with "Pirate".

[Lert, A.]

It's because Pirates can't remember more than one term for themselves, so they stick with "Pirate".

I stick with the ninjas.

Heaven forbid that I be stuck with a group that can't decide whether to say "Arr" or "Aargh" or "Yarr" or...

Make up your simple minds!

[Verruckt]

I think this thread is missing the point.
Pirates are a ruse, created by the Ninja Shadow Council.
Yep, I mean pirates are perectly lovely.
They are the smoke screen to end all smoke screens.
But are they really deserving of so much attention?
While you worry about noisy flashy Somalians stealing oil tankers, we r in ur Governments, assassinatin ur doods.

[Cpt. Soup]

I think this thread is missing the point.
Pirates are a ruse, created by the Ninja Shadow Council.
Yep, I mean pirates are perectly lovely.
They are the smoke screen to end all smoke screens.
But are they really deserving of so much attention?
While you worry about noisy flashy Somalians stealing oil tankers, we r in ur Governments, assassinatin ur doods.

Well someone needs to speak out for the pirates in this flood of slander and lies perpetrated by the cowardly ninja, such as yours. All pirates unite! Let the pirate hordes of the day come together to do away with the ninja toadies that assault us with snide remarks and falsehood!

[kpenguin]

Pirates have no hordes to speak of. Their numbers have been steadily twindling, as evidenced by the rapid rise in the global temperature.

Ninjas, being the sneaky bastards they are, are difficult to census. We have no way of measuring their numbers.

[chiasaur11]

Pirates have no hordes to speak of. Their numbers have been steadily twindling, as evidenced by the rapid rise in the global temperature.

Ninjas, being the sneaky bastards they are, are difficult to census. We have no way of measuring their numbers.

And the lower the numbers get, the deadlier the ninjas get.

[Nerd-o-rama]

Piracy gets me free music and TV shows. What has ninjitsu ever let me accomplish?

[Rutskarn]

Ninjitsu lets you beat up people who use unethical media piracy, thus crippling industries such as the video game industry.

(Okay, that's a complex assertion, and I'll grant that the video game industry is the #1 culprit in the crippling of the video game industry, but piracy is probably #2)

[chiasaur11]

Ninjitsu is behind many leading advances in medicine.

[snoopy13a]

Pirates are simply people who rob (and often do worse things) at sea.

Few modern and historical pirates are sympathetic figures and some of them were among the true scum of humanity.

Fictional pirates are alright though as they can be romantic :smallbiggrin:

[Nerd-o-rama]

Ninjitsu lets you beat up people who use unethical media piracy, thus crippling industries such as the video game industry.

(Okay, that's a complex assertion, and I'll grant that the video game industry is the #1 culprit in the crippling of the video game industry, but piracy is probably #2)What about privateers who only plunder the riches of the Orient what cannot be purchased with honest money in the West? Not with subtitles, anyway.

[chiasaur11]

What about privateers who only plunder the riches of the Orient what cannot be purchased with honest money in the West? Not with subtitles, anyway.

Eh. As long as the ninjas are okay with it...

[RPGuru1331]

Ninjitsu lets you beat up people who use unethical media piracy, thus crippling industries such as the video game industry.

(Okay, that's a complex assertion, and I'll grant that the video game industry is the #1 culprit in the crippling of the video game industry, but piracy is probably #2)

Piracy is like #5 or 6, I suspect. I'll agree with your #1 though.


What about privateers who only plunder the riches of the Orient what cannot be purchased with honest money in the West? Not with subtitles, anyway.
I don't see the issue, for obvious reasons. You're not part of the potential profit, so skimming it then buying it if it DOES come to the New World is the logical solution. Heck, even Haruhi agrees, don't she? :smallamused:

[Nerd-o-rama]

I don't see the issue, for obvious reasons. You're not part of the potential profit, so skimming it then buying it if it DOES come to the New World is the logical solution. Heck, even Haruhi agrees, don't she? :smallamused:The goddess is wise, if capricious.

[kpenguin]

Pirates are simply people who rob (and often do worse things) at sea.

Few modern and historical pirates are sympathetic figures and some of them were among the true scum of humanity.

Fictional pirates are alright though as they can be romantic :smallbiggrin:

Soup will probably chastise you once she gets back, but...


The rules are simple, there is only one rule, don't be dull and start quoting some point about what "actual pirates are like" no one cares about that so go and inflate your ego elsewhere. I come up with many ideas about what piracy is already from my boundless popcuture knowledge in all things I regard as pirate.

Nobody cares about "real" pirates.

[Cpt. Soup]

kpenguin raises a good point, I would! This is a discussion about true pirates! Nothing to do with the dullness of reality. But since I'm beaten to the punch here I'll harass someone else.


And the lower the numbers get, the deadlier the ninjas get.

Ah yes, more evidence of the low and cowardly ways of the ninja. No ninja can possibly win a battle against a true pirate without resorting to TV tropes. Yes the little creatures have to cower behind articles made through the sweat and Cheetos of their wretched slaves.

[kpenguin]

TV Tropes is run by ninjas?! That accounts for this (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ptitle94ctt9bsmafc) wretched article.

[hamishspence]

if you're only ever attacking land areas, isn't that more "Seafaring Bandits"?

Should "Must attack ships/boats/airships at some point" be a basis of piracy?

If you do no sea fighting, and your ships/boats are just for transport, you're more a Bandit who uses ships to get to the placs he wants to be.

[Leper Master]

This calls for PIRATE METAL! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csHTqMG7zUo)

I have been opened to a new and fantastic type of music.


HELL YEAH!!

[Jamin]

If ninjas really cared about pirates they would have all been dead before we even knew what they were.