Pirate Career

[NekoCat]

-----10/14/2010-----

(sorry this is taking so long... but I am still working on it)

Posts 24, 25, 26 have the text of the opportunities and it would be amazingly helpful if someone could review them and let me know if it sounds "piratey" enough.

I have the base career working and now I want to add the opportunities - but getting them to work is tricky. Anyway, the time consuming part is thinking up the text and then testing so please be patient :D Also, I will try to get all the listed opportunities in the career, but if it turns out one or more just aren't possible (due to game code limitations or something) they will be changed or removed.

Thanks for your help! :lovestruc

To do list:
Get feedback on text (in process)
Update the xml files (not started)
Test (not started)
Make updates (not started)


------4/1/2010------
I'm working on a Pirate career and ran into a problem. I'm totally stuck on trying to decide on the pay rate and thought that maybe I could get some feedback on what you guys think would be best.

Pirates usually got paid a share of the treasure with the lower ranks getting 1 share, the middle getting 1.25 - 1.5 shares and the quartermaster and captain getting 2 shares. That's a lot of money for the lower level, and there isn't any way to induce danger to offset the high wage. On the other hand, pirates were paid a lot more than their counterparts in the Navy. So... yeah. I keep going back and forth on what I want to do. So... :help:

Options are:

1. Have the usual EA style payrate with level 1 starting at 17.00/hr and level 10 at 525.00/hr. Every level in between is incremental.

2. Use the "share" method with level 1 (Swabbie) starting at 262.50/hr and level 9 (Quartermaster) & 10 (Captain) at 525.00/hr. The middle levels have two payrates of 328.13/hr and 393.75/hr.

3. Well, I guess I could release two versions, the rate is just one field but if possible I would like just one version. It would be easier to maintain.

So what do you think?

[Robodl95]

Maybe you could bump everything up a little maybe have the swabbie start at 30/hr and Captain be like 610/hr and then everything else be incremental in between?

[NekoCat]

Maybe you could bump everything up a little maybe have the swabbie start at 30/hr and Captain be like 610/hr and then everything else be incremental in between?

I hadn't actually thought of that idea. Thanks!

[Jaylo]

oh my gosh a PIRATE CAREER!?!?!?! you are my savior! so flippin cool!
yeah bumping up the pay sounds good. Does this career have the option to like perform a raid on the side, or like the opertunity to steal some money from the captain (like in the political career) or something like that?

[NekoCat]

Having some fantasy careers makes the game more fun.

I do plan on adding opportunities, and raiding is one of them.

"Steal money from Captain" would be great, actually. I'll have to see if that can be added. :D

When I get the levels and descriptions sorted out I'm going to post here and make sure people can understand it. I'm writing it in Pirate-speak so I think it'll need proof-read before being submitted.

[Petra Grai]

Oh, you know, for an opportunity - if it fails or something, you could put in something about being 'Marooned!' and finding your way back to land or something.

[Jaylo]

ooooooooo. if you do the steal from captain, you should (if you fail) be marrooned on an island and have to stay at work for three more hours trying to get off.

[NekoCat]

While I'm putting the finishing touches on my Venice world for upload I thought I would post some more on the Pirate career and start getting more feedback.

I'm trying to write it in Pirate-speak so I need to know if it's understandable or if you think it should be phrased diffently, or even if you think one of the job names should be changed. There's still a lot to do on this, but getting the text right is probably going to be the hardest part of this career. :D

By the way, when I finish the career and upload it, I will also include a text file in regular English so anyone who wants to translate it can easily understand the sentences.

- - - - - Here it is! - - - - -

Pirate: Ahoy thar matey! The booty be ready for those who sign the account and join the sweet trade. Piracy is the only freedom and the Jolly Roger yer only friend. We be weighin’ anchor soon so get yer self down here right smartly!

Based off: Criminal Career

Rabbithole: Outstanding Citizens Warehouse

Levels: 10

1. Swabbie
‘Tis the job of the new guy to clean the decks an’ keep ‘em dry. The waves be mighty strong and washin’ up over the railins’ as they do can make ‘em mighty slippery.

2. Bilge-pump Operator
Thar’s no such thing as a water-proof boat so mind that bilge or we be sinkin’ into Davy Jone’s locker!

3. Cook
Bein’ out on the sea for weeks at a time can leave us feelin’ mighty hungry and thirsty so make sure the ship is stocked up or we’ll be eatin’ you fer dinner.

4. Rigger
Unfurl the sail! Furl the sail! And while yer at it mend that rip o’er thar! If you don’t wanna be rowin’ this ship you best do a good job o’ maintainin’ them sails.

5. Lookout
Keep a sharp eye out for the next prize! It’s out thar on the horizon full o’ booty and new recruits. It’s yer livelihood bucko and if ya let one get away we’ll maroon ya fer sure!

6. CarpenterSurgeon
Fixin’ the ship and keeping her afloat is an important job and make sure you read up on how to fix people too, because yer also the ships surgeon!

7. SailingMaster
We gotta know where we buried that treasure so make sure yer up on yer map making skills! Oh, and th’ captain don’t like gettin’ lost either so make sure you can read ‘em too.

8. Bookkeeper
The booty needs dividin’ and that’s yer new job. Keep it fair according to the articles of the ship and there’ll be no reason to suspect you of holdin’ out on us. After all the last guy who did that… well, let’s just say dead men tell no tales.

9. Quartermaster
Ye keep the crew in line with almost as much authority as the Cap’n. A big job considerin’ the rowdy brawls and even rowdier parties, but ye are definitely up to it!

10. Captain
The Captain is an elected position on this ship and yer relationship with yer crew is yer first concern. Make sure the booty is plentiful, the rum is strong and the port calls frequent and yer certain to join the ranks of Blackbeard and Cap’n Kidd someday.


Tones:

1. Work Hard - Work hard to keep the ship in shape, but adds stress
2. Slack off - Take it slow and easy. Slower performance, less stress.
3. Share Tall Tales With Yer Mateys - Build relationship with crewmates
4. Meet Mateys - Meet the other pirates on the ship
5. Buy the Cap'n Some Rum - Lookin’ fer an extra cut? Rum always works.
6. Sleep in Emergency Raft - It ain’t good for anythin’ else what with all the holes in it.

Opportunities: haven't really worked on this yet, but the ones already suggested are great (raid, steal money from captain, marooned) I just have to do more research to see how to do it.

Uniform: None (Currently the only career uniforms available are those that already exist, since no one has come up with a way to create custom ones. Pity, really, since there are some really cool pirate stuff out there now.)

Carpool: Same as criminal career

[PharaohHound]

Looks good! :) I have some minor grammar and phrasing suggestions:

*In the Swabbie description I'd personally phrase it "Them waves" rather than "The waves", but that's just a personal choice.
*In your Bookkeeper description, I would suggest a comma after "after all".
*For "CarpenterSurgeon", I would use a hyphen ("Carpenter-Surgeon").

What skills are required? Perhaps Athletic and/or Handiness?

[NekoCat]

Thanks for suggestions PharoahHound. That's exactly what I was looking for. :)

As for skills, Athletic and Handiness definately make sense. I hadn't thought much about it yet. Although music had crossed my mind (I always have this vision of pirates singing rowdy songs :rofl: ) but something more practical would probably be better. After all, music could also make it sound like the pirates in some broadway musical and that's not quite what I was looking for :D .

[Jaylo]

hows about logic (gotta navigate those rocks and plan plunders), and collecting(for treasure seeking!)

[Robodl95]

Maybe a little logic higher up

Collecting would work well also

[NekoCat]

Believe it or not I'm actually ready to start working on this today. I know, it's been 2 months, but I wanted to wait for Ambitions to come out because its impact on careers would affect Twallan's career mod (which I use as the base for my career mods.) I wrote a Ninja career to learn more about how opportunities work and I think I've got it figured out now (I'm testing it now and will upload when I'm sure its ready.)

So - that brings me back to Pirates :P I decided to expand on the career and add a part-time career, an elementary school and a high school. I was able to do all that successfully in the Ninja so I want to do that with Pirates as well. All would report to the Criminal Hideout rabbithole.

The problem? Who ever heard of an educated pirate... :wtf: (okay, there probably were two or three of them... but anyway...)

So... Any ideas on what I could call the elementary and high schools? "Pirate Apprentice" sounds odd to me so I am hoping to get some better suggestions. :D

I'm also going to try to drop the homework requirement - not sure if that will work yet though.

[bluetexasbonnie]

For the elementary age -- Cabin boy
For high school -- step-n-fetch

Other possibilities: cannon ball counter, cannon ball polisher, crow nest look out, rigging monkey, parrot pooper scooper, rat skinner.

To me, the fishing skill would bring a more nautical/watery feel to the career.

One of the chance actions might be to get scurvy -- have them be sick for awhile. If it is possible to add 'cures' -- then eating a lime should cure it. Alternately, a small positive bonus for having limes in their inventory.

another opportunity -- catch a shark. Good outcome, find treasure in belly, bad outcome, loose an atheletic skill point due to laming from shark bite.

[NekoCat]

Those are good suggestions. The parrot pooper scooper and rat skinner made me laugh - I think I'll use them for opportunities. And I like the scurvy and shark opportunities too. I can add moodlets to opportunities so it should work out. Thanks!

Cabin boy does make sense for the grade schoolers. I'm still not sure about the high school... "step-n-fetch", gofer, it's a good description of what they would be doing, but the name seems a bit awkward. I spent some more time surfing pirate stuff and there was a position called "powder monkey" - a low level crewman who transported gun powder from the storeroom to the gunners and ran errands the rest of the time. I could use that or I could have both elementary school and high school be Cabin boys. Or maybe there are some other names anyone can think of?

[bluetexasbonnie]

I like powder monkey. I had also thought of them both as cabin boys, too. It seemed too easy. I had also considered a cooks helper, but couldn't come up with a cute title.

[tizerist]

Something that would work well with this would be a hood deco pirate ship (and maybe a pier) that could be placed on a beach. Sims 2 had a few.
Then you could create a 4x4 lot next to the ship / pier, with a rabbithole rug on it, so you have the appearance of them boarding the ship.

[kiwi_tea]

My next world, after Riverblossom Hills, is a pirate-steampunk themed one. So this is excellent timing, NekoCat!

[NekoCat]

Something that would work well with this would be a hood deco pirate ship (and maybe a pier) that could be placed on a beach. Sims 2 had a few.
Then you could create a 4x4 lot next to the ship / pier, with a rabbithole rug on it, so you have the appearance of them boarding the ship.

That would be so cool! I can't mesh though. I can't even draw stick figures that look like stick figures :blink: Hopefully someone who can mesh will make one. I did consider releasing a special lot with the criminal rabbithole rug on it, but without the right deco it wouldn't be very pirate-like so I scrapped that.

A pirate steam-punk world sounds great, Kiwi_tea. Can't wait to see it.


It's a three day weekend so I've been looking forward to working on this all week. :Pint: Maybe I should stick on some pirate movies for inspiration.

[Soldeen]

I haven't added many custom items to my Sims 3 game, but in honor of pirates being totally awesome I think I'll have to download this career when it's done.
One correction: in the description of Bilge-pump Operator, you say "Davy Jone's locker," when it should be "Davy Jones's locker." I've seen that typo/error a few times, it's just a piratical pet peeve of mine.

[NekoCat]

Thanks Soldeen, I fixed it :D . I think when I get the text written out I'll post it here and get some feedback. Writing in "Pirate" is harder than it sounds :P believe it or not.

[Jedman67]

you shud watch the pirates of the carribean and play Monkey Island for ideas ;)

[Soldeen]

Well, if you want any help with pirattical lingo, I've had my Facebook on the pirate setting ever since I found out it existed, and even contributed a few translations there. XD

[NekoCat]

Opportunities:

1. --------------------------------------

Title: Give fake treasure map to Leader of the Free World
Description: ‘Tis a scoundrel, that Leader of the Free World is, so take this here fake treasure map an’ leave it where that scalawag can find it.
Summary: Take fake treasure map to City Hall
Success: ‘Twas a lot of fun following that scalawag Leader of the Free World around as he looked fer buried treasure an’ found naught but spoiled Goopy Cabanera.
Reward: Yer brethren thank you!
Failure: Yer a coward fer not deliverin’ that fake map. Yer brethren are mad.

2. --------------------------------------

Title: Deliver fake treasure map to Emperor of Evil
Description: Give fake treasure map to Emperor of Evil
Summary: That thar uppity Emperor of Evil has called us “pirate wanna-be’s” fer the last time! Take this here fake pirate map to the hideout and shove it where the sun don’t shine!”
Success: Arrr! They fell fer it an’ we had a lot of fun watchin’ ‘em search fer a hole filled with rubber duckies. That’ll teach ‘em!
Reward: Yer brethren are calling you a pirate among pirates.
(Increase coworker relationship)
Failure: Ye mangy dog! Can’t even do somethin’ as simple as deliverin’ a map! No grog fer you tonight!

3. --------------------------------------

Title: Recruit <sim.name>
Description: It be time to Shanghai us some new crewmates!
Summary: We be loosing too many brethren to the navy lately, so go to the tavern and get some of those low-life drunkards to sign the articles an’ join us!
Success: Good job, matey! Lots of new recruits an’ the ship is full again.
Reward: Here be some money, go buy yerself some grog!
Failure: Not even one person would sign the articles? Yer on double shift ‘til we get more hands.

4. --------------------------------------

Title: Collect minerals and deliver them to <sim.name>
Description: 3 smokey quartz is all <sim.name> is asking for.
Summary: <Sim.Name> won’t hand over the treasure map on display at the Art Gallery unless we scrounge up 3 smokey quartz, so get goin’ and find those stones!
Success: That be quick! The map be ours an’ the treasure be ours as well.
Reward: Fer all yer hard work, yer share o’ the treasure is larger than usual.
Failure: Ye filthy mongrel, ye couldn’t find any smokey quartz? Did ye even look?

5. --------------------------------------

Title: pick a fight with <sim.name>
Description: Fight that thar <sim.name> what sullied yer good name!
Summary: Hey, see that sim o’er thar, <sim.name>? He be callin’ ye a no good low down mangy dog who couldn’t find his way out of a mug of grog if yer life depended on it! Even if it be true, are ye goin’ to let that pass without a fight?
Success: Ye sure let that scoundrel have it! He’ll think twice before tellin’ the truth agin’, eh?
Reward: Fightin’ be good exercise and you got a good workout.
Failure: Ye just lettin’ him get away with that just because yer a little drunk? Yer a spineless jellyfish!

6. --------------------------------------

Title: Grow a lime tree and keep limes in your inventory
Description: Scurvy be ravigin’ th’ crew! Grow some limes to keep in yer inventory
Summary: Half the crew be down with scurvy and yer not lookin’ so good either. Grow a lime tree and stick them fruits in yer inventory to munch on and you’ll be back to normal quicker’n th’ wind in a gale.
Success: Yer lookin’ better already! Make sure to care fer that lime tree an’ you’ll stay healthy.
Reward: The crew be rewardin’ ye fer yer limes.
(buff moodlet, money $800)
Failure: Ye got the scurvy, and yer crewmates are just as sick as you.

7. --------------------------------------

Title: Catch a rare fish and deliver it to <sim.name>
Description: That spoiled brat kid <sim.name> o’er there wants a Tragic Clown fish.
Summary: <sim.name> is bein’ a pest and won’t quit beggin’ to join th’ crew. Try to bribe the kid with a Tragic Clown fish to get ‘em to leave.
Success: It worked! <sim.Name> has gone off to bug someone else. Yer brethren are singin’ yer praises.
Reward: Here be a tidy sum collected from yer brethren
Failure: That kid is still hangin’ around an’ what’s worse is the stress the little yuppy larvae is causin’ to yer brethren.

8. --------------------------------------

Title: Pretend to fish fer 4 hours while yer watching for a large ship to loot
Description: Keep a sharp eye out fer a ship to loot while ye fish
Summary: Thar’s a big prize comin’ our way and we need lookouts to keep a sharp eye out fer the frigate, so go fishin’ and don’t let anyone get suspicious.
Success: Ye spotted the prize and it was as big as th’ rumors claimed.
Reward: Here be yer share as well as a bonus fer bein’ the first t’spot th’ship.
Failure: It went right past ye and got away because ye didn’t even bother to go to th’ beach.

9. --------------------------------------

Title: Steal treasure map from sick pirate staying at the diner
Description: Steal treasure map from old pirate at the diner.
Summary: Thar be a treasure map in the trunk of an old pirate stayin’ at the diner. Get it from him and bring it back to the ship.
Success: The treasure was difficult to find even with th’ map, but without yer help it would still be hidden.
Reward: Here’s yer share and a little extry fer getting’ the map from that old codger.
Failure: Yer walkin’ th’ plank matey ‘cause ye didn’t even go near th’ diner and the map is gone forever.

10. --------------------------------------

Title: Make friends with <sim.name> and find out how many navy ships are off the coast
Description: Befriend <Sim.name> who works fer th’ navy.
Summary: <sim.name> works fer th’ navy so become a friend and find our how many ships are off the coast
Success: Wow, yer a good talker. We now know how many ship that slimy navy has hidden.
Reward: A few gold simoleans to line yer chest are in order fer this accomplishment, matey.
Failure: Too afraid to go near <sim.name> cause of the uniform? What kind of a pirate are ye?

11. --------------------------------------

Title: Catch a shark
Description: Go fishin’ fer sharks
Summary: The Goldbeard pirates lost a treasure last week when a shark swallowed it. Go fishin’ and catch that thar shark ‘fore they do.
Success: Ye caught the shark and got the treasure. Cashin’ it in gave ye quite a tidy sum as well.
Reward: After splittin’ the treasure with yer brethren yer share is quite a find!
Failure: The shark bit ye and now yer afraid t’go fishin’. Scaredy cat.

12. --------------------------------------

Title: Collect 20 cut gems 10 forged metals and bring them to work
Description: 20 cut gems and 10 forged metals are needed to bribe the navy admiral
Summary: Th’ pirate king will pay ye a handsome fee if ye collect 20 cut gems and 10 forged metals to bribe the navy admiral to let our ships through the blockade so get t’ work!
Success: Yer brethren and the pirate king are in yer debt, that was quite a feet and ye accomplished it even though ye were dead drunk on grog.
Reward: The Pirate king rewards ye with 100,000 simoleans.
Failure: Maybe ye weren’t cut out to be a pirate but we’ll let ye have one more chance, as a swabbie!

[NekoCat]

Events:

1. --------------------------------------

Summary: Went out drinking with the crew and got drunk
Text: That grog be powerful stuff, and now yer payin’ the price

2. --------------------------------------

Summary: Got lost coming back from a pillage and are 2 hours late
Text: That thar fog was mighty heavy on the way home, no wonder yer 2 hours late.

3. --------------------------------------

Summary: Got marooned when the rowboat sprung a leak, only thing to drink was rum 12 hours late
Text: Figures the dingy would spring a leak right after pickin’ up that mess of grog from th’ island. Too bad there was no water to drink and it took 12 hours to be rescued.

4. --------------------------------------

Summary: Dropped the lantern on a treasure map and burned it up
Text: Good goin’ ye blaggart scum! Dropin’ a lantern on the treasure map and burnin’ it an’ you.

5. --------------------------------------

Summary: Fell asleep while on watch and missed a big prize
Text: Yer supposed t’ be lookin’ out fer the prize and instead fallin’ asleep and missing it you lowlife scum!

6. --------------------------------------

Summary: Had to clean the entire deck of the ship and are now sore
Text: Today it was yer turn to swab the deck, no wonder yer sore

7.--------------------------------------

Summary: Had to dig a hole for treasure chest and are now sore
Text: Ye chipped in an’ helped 3 others dig that hole an’ hide the treasure chest and now yer sore.

8. --------------------------------------

Summary: Found “stray” treasure and pocketed it
Text: Found some gold just “lyin’” around at the tavern and pocketed it

9. --------------------------------------

Summary: Found easy prize. Monetary bonus,
Text: That thar ship ye spotted during lunch was an easy prize full of rich passengers and overflowin’ treasure chests.

10. --------------------------------------

Summary: Had to feed captains pet parrot and got bit… bad mood of some kind
Text: It’s yer turn to fee the parrot, and it bit yer finger. Yer in a bad mood now.

11. --------------------------------------

Summary: Had to play with captains pet monkey and it spent 2 hours screeching at you… bad mood
Text: It’s yer turn to play wit’ the cap’n’s pet monkey. Too bad it spent 2 hours screeching instead.

12. --------------------------------------

Summary: The new cook is awful but you ate anyway because you were hungry… nauseus
Text: They say hunger makes bad food good, but not this time. That thar new cook should be flogged, but maybe later, when yer no longer leanin’ over th’ rail.

13. --------------------------------------

Summary: While delivering grog to the ship you were ambushed by a gang of ninja/mobster/mummy ghosts. No one believes you. Coworker relations down.
Text: That that story of the ninja-mobster-mummy ghost that ambushed you and stole the grog ye were deliverin’ to the ship won ye no friends, no matter how true ye said it was.

14. --------------------------------------

Summary: Told a great tall story about the ship with the black mast you used to captain. Good moodlet and better coworker relations.
Text: The crew lined up to hear yer story ‘bout that ship with th’ black mast ye used to captain, even if it was th’ fiftieth time they’d heard it.

15. --------------------------------------

Summary: Dropped a cannon ball on your foot - sore
Text: Loadin’ a cannon while drunk wasn’t such a good idea after all, and that sore foot ye got after droppin’ that thar cannon ball ought to teach ye a lesson or two.

16. --------------------------------------

Summary: Found buried treasure – money, happy
Text: While diggin’ in yer neighbors yard at 3 am ye found a treasure chest full of gold coins. Good thing he didn’t wake up!

[NekoCat]

Yes/No Events

1. --------------------------------------

Action: Steal money from cap’n chest
Yes result good: Ye got the money an’ ye got away with it! Now keep quiet an’ or you’ll be found out.
Yes result bad: Th’ cap’n found ye and stuck ye on a deserted island. 12 hours later ye managed to swim to shore.
No result: What? Th’ chest is empty? Cap’n be poorer than ye thought.

2. --------------------------------------

Action: The school wants a Pirate fer its career day, an’ called you t’ come. Do ye go?
Yes result good: Ye didn’t want to go and ended up at the tavern instead, drunk and in a much better mood.
Yes result bad: Ye fell fer it and now the police gotcha. Did ye really think they’d invite a pirate to career day?
No result: No good yuppy larvae. Pirates have better things to do with their time. Yer goin’ to spend yer time at the tavern instead.

3. --------------------------------------

Action: Thar’s a rich ship to south guarded by 2 navy ships and a small ship to the north with no escort. Which should ye go after?
Yes result good: That thar navy must be getting weak, we took that treasure ship in one go and sent them bildge rats runin’ wit’ there tails betwixt their legs.
Yes result bad: The treasure ship was really a navy gunner. Yer ship got sunk and yer crew marooned, and they’re all blamin’ you.
No result: That little frigate didn’t have so much as a silver simolean piece. The crew is mad at ye fer letting the big prize get away.

4. --------------------------------------

Action: Th’ diner be a good place t’ eat, but them scalawags from the Hideout won’t stop their lip-flappin’. Ye want yer crewmates t’ help you invade the Hideout and vandalize it.
Yes result good: Ye and yer crewmates dug 20 holes, wove rope betwixt th’ trees an’ fences an’ ordered 20 pizzas to be delivered using the Emperor of Evil’s credit card. Life is good.
Yes result bad: While ye and yer crewmates were off vandalizin’ the Hideout, the criminals were vandalizin’ yer ship. By triple waxin’ the deck and pourin’ cookin’ oil over it. The cap’n is madder than a rabid dog and has ordered ye to scrape it off with yer toothbrush.
No result: Ye decide not to vandalize the hideout and instead start a barroom brawl. The Diner is a mess, yer thrown out, but everyone includin’ the pirates and criminals are happy. Nothin’ like a good old fashioned brawl to cheer everyone up!

5. --------------------------------------

Action: Thar’s a storm headin’ our way and it’s a big’un. Should ye go after that prize on the horizon or stay safe in the port?
Yes result good: Well, th’ storm started kickin’ up some mighty tall waves, but ye got the prize and returned to port before it got bad. Good job!
Yes result bad: Them waver were just too strong fer the ship and the crew had to evacuate. Yer soaked, stuck in a dingy, and hopin’ ye get rescued before ye drown.
No result: That storm weren’t as bad as ye thought t’would be and because ye stayed in port the prize got away. Th’ crew is mighty angry right now.