Xmas Rerun: Guess who the patron saint of pirates is?
When the crew is in port during December, they encounter a
strange figure at the tavern:
The old man is short –
barely five feet tall -- and heavy-set. A white beard frames his fleshy face
and laughing eyes twinkle above a broken nose. His knuckles are calloused – the
hands of a brawler – and a length of heavy chain wraps around his thick
stomach. Three jingling bags of coins are tied to his belt. He raises his mug
to you and smiles.
Rugged sailors and
crusty pirates give the old man’s table a wide berth. He smiles warmly at the
tavern wench who brings his meal and wine and tips her generously from the gold
he carries. He says grace and tucks into his hearty meal.
Questioning the tavern staff and guests reveals the
following rumors and speculation (one per success or raise on a Streetwise
roll):
- He’s a Dutch pirate – Nikolaas van Hoorn* – wanted by the Spanish for the sacking of Vera Cruz. (False)
- He’s a slaver; his ship is crewed by the ugliest scum on the face of the earth. (Almost False)
- He’s looking to pay some young maiden’s dowry with the gold he carries – wink-wink, nudge-nudge, say no more. (Almost True)
- He’s a sorcerer; he carries the Chain of St. Peter, a holy relic capable of binding demons and spirits. (More True Than False)
- He’s really a Greek named Nikolaos who escaped from a Turkish prison. (True – from a certain point of view)
- He’s got a mean right hook and he’ll punch you in the face if you blaspheme in front of him. (Very True)
The old man is, of course, St. Nicholas of Myra -- also called St. Nicholas the Wonderworker – and patron saint of pirates, prostitutes, sailors, and thieves. His identity will probably be obvious to many players and it is not recommended the GM go to any great lengths to obscure it. Courting his favor can grant the crew several boons; earning his ire will cause them problems.
If the crew buys St. Nicholas a drink or a meal, treat
anyone who chips in money as blessed with the Luck Edge until the next time
they commit an infamous act (feel free to make it Great Luck if they buy him
milk and cookies). If they beseech his aid, he can break the curses of
supernatural beings – but he will demand penance and good deeds in return. St.
Nicholas is one of the few supernatural beings powerful enough to contend with
Dionysus or Atargatis and can free PCs from servitude to one of those pagan
gods.
Player characters who assault or steal from St. Nicholas
will find themselves hunted by the saint’s demonic servants – Bellzebub, Black
Peter, Knecht Ruprecht, Klaubauf, Bartel, Pelzebock, and the Krampus (treat as
Wild Card Ghost Pirate Captains armed with clubs). These frightening devils
will beat the characters senseless and play other cruel tricks on them before
leaving them where they can be found by the authorities or taunted by rival
crews.
*Nicholas van Hoorn
was an infamous Dutch pirate who actually named his ship "Saint Nicholas'
Day." Seriously.
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