#captain william kidd | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

maskyartist · 2 years

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wip/doodle dump cause i've decided im done not posting every lil thing i do im bored :)

some Minu related stuff! for a lil context, shes a Persona 5 OC so i've thought about them having a Shadow for a long time so there's a lil concept for a full piece of their Shadow! i might futz with angles or somethin not too happy with it but i like the pose!

and the first one's just an AU where she ends up in P4 i got goin with my beloved partner @rexidot (hopefully that actually links-)

MORE PERSONA 5 AU STUFF!! this time with an au where the Personas get to be human thanks to some Metaverse status effect! they're a lil older then their hosts in human years, n i dont have everyones designs, but here's Kidd and Milady :D wanted to ensure Milady's a bad bitch

more OC stuff! :D this time with an old OLD OC of mine named Aika :D the idea is for some neon shit but idk if i'm gonna finish this yet, we'll see how i feel. i wanna futz with the face more

a lil P5 Yakuza strip but with Akeharu content in it cause its my life and i do what i want :) im in my 20s u cant tell me what to do anymore

so yeah im alive just mostly doodlin right now anyways i'll see about bein more active :D

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pardoncaptainkidd · 1 year

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Last year, one letter was sent out to Queen Elizabeth, formally requesting her to provide Captain William Kidd with a royal pardon for his charges of piracy.

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth, King Charles will now be the recipient of these requests. This year’s goal is to send out multiple letters from those who support the notion that William Kidd receive a royal pardon and his wrongful history be made right.

A minimum of two letters will be sent out every month starting in March 2023. If we can gather more support, we will raise that to four letters every month.

Do you support the movement for Captain Kidd to receive a pardon? Keep an eye out this month, February 2023, for our website to go live if you want to help support the movement!

#captain kidd #william kidd #pardon captain kidd #nautical history #history #letters to english royalty #captain #pardoncaptainkidd #privateer #scottish #nautical #pirate #petition #pardon #captain william kidd #colonial american history

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where-our-stories-start · 7 months

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"Gruff, jaded man accidentally adopts feisty child" has got to be one of my favorite genres

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therealpiratesofonepiece · 2 months

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I love One Piece

And I love real pirates, so I made this blog to share facts about the real pirates who inspired some of the characters.

Gol D. Roger - Henry Every and Olivier Levasseur

Alvida - Awilda

Calico Yorki - Calico Jack Rackham

Zeff - "Red Legs" Greaves

Blackbeard and Whitebeard - Edward Teach Actually Whitebeard is closer to Benjamin Hornigold than Edward Teach

Roronoa Zoro - François L'olonnais

Jewelry Bonney - Anne Bonney

Lafitte - Jean Lafitte

Eustass Kidd - William Kidd

Captain Morgan - Henry Morgan

Basil Hawkins - Basil Ringrose and John Hawkins

Urouge - Oruç Reis

X Drake - Sir Francis Drake

Bellamy - Samuel Bellamy

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zenzeroruletheworld · 1 year

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willtheweaver · 2 months

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#poll #sea song #sea songs #sea shanty #the Ballad of captain Kidd #william kidd #pirates #golden age of piracy #ac black flag

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kchasm · 1 year

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Ryu Number Chart Update: Tropico 2: Pirate Cove

(With bonus Treasure Island!)

Tropico 2: Pirate Cove is a bit of an unusual entry in the Tropico franchise, as instead of playing as president of a fictional island nation during the Cold War and Doing Politics with the Blocs, you're the Pirate King in Pirate Times, running some sort of Pirate Island. Basically the same concept otherwise, though.

Depending on your game mode (and in line with the earlier Tropico games), you can specify your Pirate King's Pirate Identity as one of a number of historical or fictional-but-in-the-public-domain pirates:

Granted, you don't really see your chosen Pirate do anything as a discrete Pirate Unit, but if you're bad at Being A Pirate, you get a little cutscene which seems to depict a first-person view of the Pirate King having apparently been cast-away, with a view of their Pirate Boots:

Does that count? I feel like that counts, probably. I mean, you also get a first-person view cutscene if you're good at being a pirate (the viewpoint's diegetic; some Pirate Folks raise their drinks at you). In other words, if the Pirate King is a Specific Pirate, and the Pirate King is in the cutscene, then the Specific Pirate is in the cutscene. That's math.

The historical and public domain figures that "show up" in Tropico 2 can be found in the chart below:

There are multiple ways of getting Ryu into this mess, but the ones I've got a Big Like for are through Kingdom Hearts and Fate/Grand Order, which work out owing to Tropico 2's inclusion of Captain Hook (public domain is public domain), and Fate/Grand Order's inclusion of basically every historical and/or folkloric figure they can shove into their gacha, some of whom are genderswapped because why not and also because it worked for Type-Moon the first time; they're not going to stop now.

(This chart is by no means all-inclusive. There's plenty of Video Game I haven't watched yet, and if I tried to include all the connections that went through Minecraft skins, even only including the DLC dropped through the official "Minecraft" account, the topology would drive me to madness.)

So congrats to Charlotte de Berry, Laurens de Graaf, and Nicholas van Hoorn for making it onto The Chart, but the real MVP of this update is Long John Silver, on account of that he provides a neat way to get into Treasure Island video games. (I don't count Treasure Planet characters as the same characters. Little bit too different. Doesn't really feel right.)

If you've never heard of either of these two video games, that's perfectly fair, frankly. Treasure Island is a 2008 adventure game that serves as a sort of condensed video game version of the book with a bunch of adventure game puzzles added. It's faithful-ish, with the exception of a handful of original characters (including the daughter of Squire Trelawney, who serves romantic interest), and the inexplicable narrative decision to have Dr. Livesey suddenly quaff Evil Juice.

(Image credit: Andrea Pannocchia)

I guess I get what they were going for here? "Ho ho, those folks who know the novel and are expecting the same are going to get a big surprise when they get to the twist we added ourselves!" But also, I feel like if anyone is playing a video game adaptation of Treasure Island, they're probably playing it because it's a video game adaptation of Treasure Island and don't really want an Original Twist.

Though my estimations of What Other People Want have been historically lacking, so what do I know? Nada, is what I know.

Anyway, the other game up there, Destination: Treasure Island, is also a griphy adventure game, though this one's a sequel to the book, instead. Jim Hawkins, presumably doing Jim Hawkins things, gets his day-to-day interrupted by Silversent psittacinunce, just in time also for a troika of pirates from the book to arrive at the scene Bearing Vengeance re: the maroonage they suffered (also from the book). Hilarity ensues, although for some reason in the game Black Dog has been renamed "Yellow Dog" which makes him Not The Same Character, as far as The Chart is concerned. (It's fine; he's covered by the 2008 game anyway.)

It's got 100% less Dr. Livesey, but also 100% less Evil Dr. Livesey. I reckon that balances out.

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pendantandring · 11 months

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Pirates (1922) Part 11

Join us as we read this swashbuckling history of Captain William Kidd!

#youtube #captain kidd #pirate kidd #william kidd #golden age of piracy

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love-studying58 · 3 months

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happy Masters of the Air release week. In honour of the series due to release on the 26th, I wanted to list a few faces we’ll be seeing throughout the series. I want to particularly note the crewmen of the 100th in hopes this makes sense to viewers who either a) didn’t have time to read any books based on the 100th bomb group, or b) want to read Masters of the Air by Donald L. Miller during/after the tv show aires. My lovely friend on tumblr @kylaym was happy to message me on instagram regarding who’s who for most of the 100th bomb group posts. She gets that everyone in uniform looks the same; same haircut, moustaches, masks, everywhere, etc. She mentioned it is always better to remember a bunch of lads as groups and crews than as individuals!

Here we gooo..

Colonel Neil “Chick” Harding

A West Point graduate and the school’s football coach prior to the war. Harding was a seasoned aviator who truly emulated much of the 100th’s attitude. He exhibited an appreciation for his crew’s mental and emotional well-being.

Major John C. “Bucky” Egan and Major Gale “Buck” Cleven

Two of the squadron commanders, Majors John “Bucky” Egan of the 418th Bomb Squadron and Gale “Buck” Cleven of the 350th, had piloting skills which matched their personalities. (Found top row 3rd and 4th members from left to right).

Captain John D. Brady

He served as a pilot in the 418th bomb squadron and was shot down during the mission to Munster on October 10th, 1943. (Shown here on the far left). He flew overseas in A/C #42-30071 “Skipper” as 1st Lt. Pilot. 2nd Lt’s being Lt. John L. Hoerr [Co-Pilot] and Lt. Harry Crosby [Group Navigator and Captain].

M/Sgt. Kenneth A. Lemmons

He served on the 351st Bomb Squadron and was one of the first crew chiefs assigned to the 100th Bomb Group. After being a part of the U.S. Air Force's ground crew, he was subsequently promoted to the position of flight chief. (Shown above in the front).

Harry H. Crosby

Harry served as a navigator in the 418th Bomb Squadron and later became Group Navigator for the Hundredth, however, his struggle with airsickness often hindered his ability to navigate. (Found above beside Brady on the right). Harry Crosby replaced Lt. Payne on the crew of Douglass.

Payne is found above on the right, beside Harry Crosby.

Lt. Howard B. “Hambone” Hamilton

He was a bombardier mostly known for flying with Brady’s crew.

On the October 10th Munster mission, crew #32 was led by Major John C. Egan as Co-Pilot. Near the initial point “Mlle Zig Zig” was hit by Flak, resulting in the following:

- Sgt Clanton passing away

- wounding Howard Hamilton and Roland Gangwer. (Both ended up spending a long time in the hospital).

- the surviving crew members bailed out but were taken prisoner.

Hamilton is seen above on the far left. Beside him on the left is Lt. James Douglass and Captain Frank Murphy.

Captain James Douglass

Served as a bombardier in the 418th Bomb Squadron with the Everett Blakely crew. (Seen above in the first picture beside Blakely).

Major Everett E. Blakely

Was a career officer of the United States Air Force. He was a highly decorated pilot of the B-17 bomber with the Bloody Hundredth Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force. He is most commonly known for his crew’s plane “Just a Snappin”. On a mission to Bremen on October 8th, 1943, his plane was severely damaged by flak and enemy fighters. He later became the Group Training Officer (Shown above on the right and next to Major John Egan in the second picture above).

Blakely’s Crew:

Major John Kidd- Command Pilot

1st Lt. Everett Blakely- Pilot

2nd Lt. Charles Via- Formation Officer in the tail (SWA on the mission during Black Week)

1st Lt. Harry Crosby - Navigator

2nd Lt. James Douglass - Bombadier

T/Sgt. Edmund Forkner - Radio operator

S/Sgt. William McClelland - Ball Turret Gunner (WIA on the Black Week mission)

S/Sgt. Edward Yevich - Waist Gunner (WIA on the Black Week mission)

S/Sgt. Lyle Nord - Waist Gunner

S/Sgt. Lester Saunders - Tail Gunner (KIA on the Black Week mission)

Lt Roy Claytor

Roy Claytor was part of the 350th Squadron. Above, he may be flying as a command pilot in this mission or practice with the Claytor Crew.

He is seen above on the left, beside Cleven.

Major Robert 'Rosie' Rosenthal

Rosie joins the unit in late 1943. He becomes one of the 100th's most reliable pilots.

Rosenthal's Crew:

[Shown left to right; top row than bottom row]

Sgt. Loren Darling - Waist Gunner

Sgt. Michael V. Boccuzzi - Radio Operator/Gunner

Sgt. John H. Shaffer - Waist Gunner

Sgt. Clarence C. Hall - Top turret gunner/engineer

Sgt. William J. DeBlasio - Tail Gunner

Sgt. Ray H. Robinson - Ball Turret Gunner

Lt. Ronald C. Bailey - Navigator

Lt. Robert 'Rosie' Rosenthal - Pilot

Lt. Clifford J. Milburn - Bombardier

Lt. Winifred 'Pappy' Lewis - Copilot

Lt. Curtis Biddick

Lieutenant Curtis Biddick was known as a ‘hard luck’ pilot but was recognised as exceptionally expert and courageous. ‘Every time he went out something seemed to happen,’ said one of his buddies. On one raid he brought his plane back with 1,700 shell and bullet holes in it and two wounded men aboard.

He clashes due to his English colleagues embarking on night-time raids.

Richard Snyder

Biddick's co-pilot and was part of the 418th Bombardment Squadron.

Okay.... So I truly hope this helps going into Masters of the Air tomorrow. I can't wait to see all the bomber boys spread their wings and fly. This tv series is going to be an absolute wreck (in the best way possible). Thank you to everyone who enjoys my posts. Love y'all.

#hbo war #masters of the air #austin butler major gale buck cleven #austin butler masters of the air #callum turner #john egan #barry keoghan #@mads-weasley

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whencyclopedia · 3 months

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Captain Kidd

Captain William Kidd (c. 1645-1701) was a Scottish privateer turned pirate who, despite only ever capturing one significant prize ship, has become legendary thanks to the persistent rumour he buried a fantastic treasure that nobody has yet found. Kidd was arrested, sent to England, and hanged in Wapping Old Stairs in 1701.

#History #CaptainKidd #Pirate #WilliamKidd

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writingraven · 2 years

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Hello, would you be able to post tips on how to start a pirate au? This is my first time making one.

【 Hi! My tip for any au (or any story, really) is simply research. It’s important to understand the dynamics and realism. So I put together some pirate knowledge for you! I’ll probably make more posts on this soon. I’m thinking pirate terms, ship terms, common weapons, things like that. If you’d be interested, let me know. Hope this helps, and good luck on your story (: 】

The Pirate Life

warnings: violence

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↳ Drinks

⇝ portable drinking water was hard to come by so many ships carried an abundance of wine, beer, and rum

⇝ a famous mariner drink is grog (sugar-water, lime juice, and rum) which was known to prevent scurvy

⇝ another is bombo/bumboo (sugar-water, nutmeg, and rum) or rumfustian (water, raw eggs, sherry, gin, beer)

↳ Eye Patches

⇝ not only worn because someone lost an eye

⇝ worn to keep one eye adjusted to darkness

⇝ when fighting/raiding below deck they could switch the eye patch instead of waiting for vision to adjust

↳ Flags

⇝ not all pirate flags were black with a skull and crossbones

⇝ most pirate flags were plainly black or red (completely red flags were known as the most aggressive)

⇝ if there were designs, many adorned hourglasses to represent the inevitability of death

↳ Freetime

⇝ when not working, pirates often played cards or dice (although, gambling was against the rules on some ships), sang, danced, partied, etc.

⇝ stopping at ports was a fairly regular occurrence so they could take a break from the harsh sea to sell goods, repair the ship, and of course find women

↳ Life of Crime

⇝ sure, some people became pirates for the life of crime, but the overwhelming majority were simply sailors who abandoned their jobs due to horrendous working conditions

⇝ pirates were treated far better by their captains than navy men

⇝ there were even periods of time where pirating wasn’t illegal — governments would enlist pirates during wartime to plunder enemy ships. these pirates were labeled ‘privateers’ and legally allowed to operate under ‘letters of marque’ which basically made them military contractors

↳ Longevity

⇝ pirate careers were a few years long tops (even the famous blackbeard only lasted two years)

⇝ many were killed or injured especially because medical facilities were practically nonexistent

↳ Positions

⇝ well-run ships had a clear division of labor

⇝ positions included captain, quartermaster, boatswain, carpenter, cooper, gunner, navigator, etc.

⇝ the captain had absolute command during battle and chose where/when to go somewhere

⇝ the quartermaster oversaw ship operations and divided the loot

⇝ pirates were not as chaotic as media portrays — they were actually quite democratic

⇝ but the illusion of being brutal would be beneficial for plundering as the possibility of surrender was increased

⇝ most pirates were illiterate, but there were quite a few who actually came from higher social classes

↳ Raids

⇝ looting gold/silver was much less common than looting supplies (food, drink, candles, navigational tools, repairing equipment, medicine, etc.)

⇝ most pirates didn’t want to kill people — they would steal the goods and leave the crew (or let the crew join them) especially because the bounties weren’t usually worth it

↳ Rules

⇝ most pirate ships took their rules very seriously, with punishments being severe

⇝ common rules were against lying, stealing amongst themselves, fighting on board, gambling, etc.

⇝ walking the plank was not a common punishment (it actually rarely ever happened) — punishments were usually flogging, dunking, tying to the mast, hanging, marooning, or keelhauling

✶

Famous Pirates to Check Out for Motivation: Stede Bonnet, Anne Bonny, Francis Drake, Calico Jack, William Kidd, Henry Morgan, Mary Read, Bartholomew Roberts, Edward Teach (Blackbeard)

#writing #writing tips #story ideas #reference #knowledge #writing reference #pirate prompts #pirates #pirate au #writeblr #writer things

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muspeccoll · 7 months

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ARRR! Talk Like Pirate Day is September 19!

Bringing Her Yards Aportland, Tackles to the Gooseneck of the Tiller, Sheer Off, Running His Guns, Setting Fire to the Powder, Raising Their Metal, Bringing Her on the Careen.

These are terms most of us do not hear very often, or are unfamiliar with, but to ship’s captains and crew during the Age of Sail, all of these were well understood.

Acts of piracy on the high seas had been common from the time people first took to the sea, but for most of us today, the word Pirate conjures up images of 18th-century buccaneers made popular in art, books, and movies. Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, Captain William Kidd, Stede Bonnet, Anne Bonny, “Calico Jack” Rackham, Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts, and Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy are just a few of the men and women who “Went on the Account,” that is, turned to piracy.

This book, The Lives and Bloody Exploits of the Most Noted Pirates, Their Trials and Executions, published by Ezra Strong in 1839, describes the lives and careers of many of these pirate captains in colorful detail.

Perhaps the following speech, included in this book, (pages 129 and 130) and attributed to pirate Captain “Black Sam” Bellamy, gives us an insight into the reason why so many seafaring men, during the Age of Sail, chose to became pirates. Captain Bellamy, commanding the Wydah Galley, captured and plundered a sloop commanded by a Captain Beer while cruising off Rhode Island in late February of 1717. Captain Bellamy to Captain Beer:

I am sorry they [Bellamy’s crew] won’t let you have your sloop again, for I scorn to do any one a mischief when it is not for my advantage; - the sloop, we must sink her, and she might be of use to you. Though you are a sneaking puppy, and so are all those who will submit to be governed by laws which rich men have made for their own security; for the cowardly whelps have not the courage otherwise to defend what they get by knavery; but-ye altogether:-them for a pack of crafty rascals, and you, who serve them, for a parcel of hen-hearted numskulls. They vilify us, the scoundrels do, when there is only this difference, they rob the poor under the cover of law, forsooth, and we plunder the rich under the protection of our own courage. Had you not better make one of us, than sneak after these villains of employment?

Captain Beer rejected throwing in with the pirates.

#talk like a pirate day #pirates #wood engravings #books #illustration #history #mizzou #special collections #rare books #fb #john k

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pardoncaptainkidd · 7 months

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Has everyone been enjoying the live action of One Piece on Netflix? We thought we might use this opportunity to discuss some similarities and differences between Captain Kidd, and a character in One Piece inspired by him, Eustass Kid. Similarities ~ Both are rather large and intimidating by appearance! But what male pirate in One Piece isn’t built like that? The key difference with Eustass Kid lies entirely on his raw strength, which is a rarity for characters this late in the series and for those who are as wanted and as deadly as Kid. He wouldn’t get devil fruit abilities until late in his pirate career. This was likely inspired by the fact that William Kidd was a very strong man thanks to his size and experience as a hard working sailor.

William Kidd and Eustass Kid had similar networking in their past. For Eustass Kid, he had large ties with other powerful allies being apart of a gang on the islands he lived. William Kidd’s networking in New York was thanks to his reputation as a war hero and he quickly became friends with other powerful merchants and governors. Being married to a wealthy and successful wife helped with this too.

Both Kidd and Kid have a big ego and crave success. Eustass Kid, like many pirates in One Piece, is strongly motivated by personal gain and seeking the One Piece. There is plenty of documentation that suggests William Kidd also was easily flattered and sought to claim fame and glory for himself, as his last voyage was an attempt to gain a higher ranking career since being a ship merchant Captain from New York was not enough for him. Differences ~ Eustass Kid is introduced with a very high bounty in the series due to the high amounts of casualties of civilians he was responsible for. While the real William Kidd did not have this experience, this could have been inspired by the infamous reputation about Captain Kidd, especially during the time right before his capture and execution - the world generally feared Captain Kidd due to many rumors that had spread across the seas.

Eustass will eventually get a cybernetic left arm in the series. William never lost any limbs.

And the BIG difference - Eustass Kid is unquestionably a pirate. But William Kidd? He was no true pirate and was wrongfully accused of such!

For those One Piece fans curious to learn more about the real William Kidd, check out our website pardonwilliamkidd.com. Unlike Eustass Kid, William Kidd’s history shows he was innocent of piracy and we continue to work towards correcting this wrong in history - and helping the Captain receive a pardon!

#captain kidd #william kidd #kidd #pardon captain kidd #one piece #eustass kid #kid pirates #history #pirate history #american colony history #american history #scottish #captain #nautical

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justdalek · 2 months

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Here’s the next gen cast of p5!

More in for below cut

Hikari Kitagawa

Daughter of Ren, Ryuji, and Yusuke Kitagawa

Arcana: Pentacles

Persona: Comnena

Was the “final contract” creation of Satanel, William, and Gorokichi before they reverted back to their first form (Arsene, Captain Kidd, and Goemon)

Is training to be both a professional ice and roller skater

Pottery is her hobby

While stoic, she can be a bit of a troll if given the opportunity

Leader of the Phantom Crusaders

Is closest with Ren

Yes, her tricolor hair is natural, no dyes

Kaito Takamaki

Son of Makoto, Haru, and Ann Takamaki

Arcana: Swords

Persona: J.L. Casey

Was the “final contract” creation of Celestine, Agnes, and Lucy before they reverted back to their first forms (Carmen, Johanna, and Milady)

Aspiring thespian, master dancer

He loves over dramatizing events

A crybaby, but he can pull his own in a fight if he has to

Powerhouse and moral booster of the Phantom Crusaders

Closest to Haru

His tricolor hair, like Hikari’s, is all natural

Minato Sakura

Adopted son of Futaba Sakura

Arcana: Wands

Persona: Hayden

Futaba discovered he was living in an alleyway behind her house to escape his foster family who mistreated him

A music prodigy, he plays cello, violin, string bass, piano, flute, and baritone

Rather snarky in behavior, but has a very present caring side

Him, Futaba, and Sojiro have family dinner on Saturday nights

He is the navigator for the Phantom Crusaders

No one knows why he wears gloves, but he never takes them off in front of anyone, including Futaba

Fuyuki Izumi Kitagawa

Taken in by Morgana, later adopted by Ren, Ryuji, and Yusuke

Arcana: Cups

Persona: Holliday

Was physically stuck in Mementos and later a Palace for over a year before Morgana found them and dragged them out of the Metaverse

It was because of that rescue that the original Phantom Thieves discovered that the Metaverse had somehow opened back up again after sealing itself nearly two decades ago

It’s unknown how they got into the Metaverse, but Fuyuki thinks it might’ve had something to do with their parents kicking them out after a fight

Stays with the Kitagawas post rescue and is eventually adopted by them

Isn’t sure what they want to do, but they do love hanging out with their new friends and learning about the good of the world after living in so much negativity

Strategist of the Phantom Crusaders

Sometimes has a very weird ability where when they fall asleep, they will wake up in a Metaverse variant of the Kitagawa house and has to have somebody get them back to the real world

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izzysillyhandsy · 6 months

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According to Izzy, "hanging people by the thumbs" is not what Captain Kidd did. So looked him up.

It turns out he once killed his gunner William Moore after calling him a lousy dog, and Moore replying:

"If I am a lousy dog, you have made me so; you have brought me to ruin and many more."

I'm connecting absolutely no lines here but it struck me having a very Ed/Izzy vibe.

Carry on.

#ofmd #ofmd s2 spoilers #edward teach #izzy hands #please bring Izzy back Ed needs you #if only for being weirdly intense with

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scotianostra · 3 months

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On 22nd January 1645 William Kidd, Scottish sailor and pirate hunter was born in Dundee, although other sources have the year as 1654 and 1655.

The son of John Kidd a seaman, and his wife Bessie Butchart, William became a sea captain, his first ship being the Antigua. .By 1689 he was in command of a vessel named the Blessed William which was operating as a privateer in the West Indies (A privateer ship is a warship that is privately owned, but has government permission to attack enemy ships. The privateer must split any spoils with the government). He was successful, but in 1691 his crew mutinied and left him stranded on the island of Antigua. Kidd went to New York where he married well and became a merchant.

Kidd might have spent the rest of his life on Wall Street, but apparently the sea was still in his blood. In 1695 he travelled to London to ask to be put in command of a privateer again. He got the Adventure Galley, a 237-ton vessel with 34 cannons. His primary backer on this venture was Richard Coote, the Earl of Bellamont, but other nobles (including the King) also had a stake in the voyage.

Kidd sailed out of the Chatham dockyard and immediately was boarded by the Royal Navy, who press-ganged many of his best sailors for their own ships. Kidd was forced to replace them with disreputable sailors with pirate leanings. In New York he added more crew, then set off for the Indian Ocean. His public mission was to clear the sea there of pirates, but it was probably understood by his backers that he would also take every opportunity to capture any enemy ships that had valuable cargo.

Months went by and no acceptable victims were found. The crew pressured Kidd to turn pirate and attack anything. Kidd got into a fight and killed a gunner after refusing to plunder an English ship they’d sighted.

Finally, in February 1698, a Indian-owned ship, The Quedah Merchant, was spotted and Kidd captured her easily. She carried a cargo worth some 710,000 pounds. Best of all she had French papers which made her a legal target for Kidd under his privateer commission.

Meanwhile, back in London, politics were turning against Kidd. Exaggerated reports of his adventures were coming in from the Indian Ocean and the enemies of his backers were using them to denounce the Whig party to which many of Kidd’s powerful friends belonged. Kidd’s friends finally distanced themselves from him labelling him an “obnoxious pirate” and a price was set on his head.

Kidd got wind of this and abandoned the damaged Adventure Galley, traded the Quedah Merchant treasure for a small sloop, and ran for New York where he thought his patron Governor Bellamont could help him.

Outside New York, Kidd buried the bulk of the treasure on Gardiner’s Island (one of the few verified instances of a pirate actually burying a treasure) and attempted to use it as a bargaining chip for a pardon. It didn’t work. Kidd was arrested and imprisoned and the treasure recovered.

Despite his protests that he was only a privateer, Kidd was tried in London and executed in 1701. The papers that might have proved his innocence disappeared in Bellamont’s hands and his logbook was burned. His corpse was displayed in an iron cage on the dock at Thames Estuary for several years as a warning to other would-be pirates.

Every now and then the press carry a story that Captain Kidd’s treasure has been discovered, but to date it is still buried somewhere, waiting to be found!

Here is one of those stories…..https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-32621444

#scotland #scottish #history #privateer

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