Im calling this one: 'Step Up'

[The Stealthy Pirate]

Ahoy Mates, Rascals, Scallywags and Revolutionaries,……

I have an issue of great importance to discuss with you all, but first I am compelled to declare me feeling toward you, the fantastic members of this Castle and Community.
I want to say once again that I feel a heartfelt thankfulness deep within my bones toward the sum of Pirates who populate these Castle walls. Over the years I have had the honor of meeting and greeting many fine Pirates and members of this community, in game and out.

It has been said that the term “University” also has meaning of “unity” in “diversity”. We come with different natures, characters, tempers, dispositions, personalities, outlooks and temperaments yet, we all have one very evident common factor, we love Disney Pirates and the game that reflects the same!

Friends, keep in mind, We are made up of People… many people and no person mimics or clones one another’s before mentioned characteristics, for every Pirates DNA is as unique as the fish in our Caribbean Ocean. (nice work Staff Crew...lol... your Imagineering ways are Magical!)

A very wise old Saint named Augustine once said something that we all (every Pirate) should consider closely.. that is “Unity on the essentials, Liberty on the non-essentials and Love over all. Do you see, Love over all… the covering that says.. ok… we don’t have to agree on everything, but I will choose to respect you. Love is a verb mates, an action not a feeling.
Now, before you declare old Achilles has hit the rum, Bon-Bons and continual re-runs of Oprah and Dr Phil… know there is a reason for my long winded words here…

Friends… We are at a critical juncture in our Caribbean World.
We need to be supporters and promoters of our beloved game and communities.
Every Pirate who loves POTCO must work at being community builders and game promoters,
for if we do not… it will most likely be months before our beloved Oceans will run dry.
I tell you true, A good, dear old friend, a former Disney Cast member, a “Captain” type of a guy once told me…..
Disney is in it to accomplish two things, One, entertain and Two, make money.
If you are doing the first properly, the second will follow, and if the second is not happening, the first is not being executed correctly. Savvy…?

Consider this.. are you constructive toward the game AND its guests or are you
destructive? Do you build up, or tear down? Perhaps we all could do some self
evaluation here aye?.... Starting with myself.

Do we, as Guests and Pirate fans have to ability to be destructive and actually have an influence in a negative way regarding the game we so love...?, Yes, you bet!
Fighting, bickering slurs, slander and deceptive actions litter our Caribbean still.
People are here to relax, enjoy and live the legend, not experience stress, drama and quarrels.
Our community, from the Pirate Lords down to the fantastic Pirate members and Guests have tried to promote a balance with constructive criticism. We shall continue to promote the delicate function of reporting critical game issues without beating the POTCO Staff to bits and sinking the Ship. Let’s face it Mates, you catch more bees with honey than vinegar!

Ok…. Let’s get back to Basics….. Back to a mindset on October 31, 2007, Back to a time when we all enjoyed playing and there was much adventure and frontier still available Mates!
Do you realize how many NEW people are being exposed to the game due to Pirates 4 release? Many…. And we have a golden opportunity to promote the game and show just how much fun our beloved Caribbean is and can be!

I am re-setting my compass, rejoining the adventure my Captain once called me to perform….. I am on mission to reach out to the corners of our Caribbean, to the Pirate Lords of other communities. Captain Walter had a vision of Pirate Lords from all corners of our Caribbean world aligning, being of one accord…. (I hope and pray Captain Xavier holds the same torch and sentiment) The Pirate Lords did not necessarily get along, do you recall what the issue with the Pirate Lords were…? They were selfish Pirates and scoundrels…. BUT, they came together when their Caribbean way of life was threatened and they could maturely be amicable to one another in forming an alliance.
I am not seeking to join communities, that would defeat the purpose. We need Pirates in different corners and on different Islands Mates, that is a good thing.
We need alliances and Communities in an Accord.

Are you a high level Pirate…? Do you recall the thrill of seeing high level Pirates for the first time? Seeing a War Galleon or War Frigate for the first time? I love taking newer guests of our Caribbean out on occasion and allowing them to steer my War Ship. Especially non-paying members, they can see what their missing and get a greater experience of our Caribbean.
The latest movie is a spring board toward game promotions.


Alas, I have shared with you my heart, I have given you much to reflect and consider. Let’s regroup, and realign. Let’s strive to work together to promote grown and unity in our Caribbean World.

Most sincerely,

~Achilles


Taken from the Castle. We need to do our part mates!!

[SEAKING23]

I totally support this mate - I will be as helpful as possible.

[Captain Del]

Where has this been from the beginning?

I try to dedicate as much time as I can to helping other pirates, inside and outside of my guild. I am sure to personally help pirates in growing, becoming stronger, and experiencing the Caribbean with the kind of friendship and enjoyment I lacked in my earlier times in the game. Whenever somebody needs help, I'll do anything in my power to aid them - the only thing that can ever limit me is real life, and even then does it have just a little hard of a time.

Unity has always been one of my primary focuses in the Caribbean. But it's hard to establish such a union between all pirates not only because of such an expansive number to cover, from an expansion of so many guilds, but because it seems as though the game itself has become segregated, divided viciously between certain cliques that exist in the Caribbean. If you can't see it now, it's because your vision doesn't yet cover so many corners and nooks as mine has - and trust me, you'll know it when you see it.

I think the main problem is fear, that we are too afraid to not just become apart of other "communities" in POTCO, but that we are too afraid to become involved. And, in good reason - with every community, is a new group of pirates, with different opinions and outlooks on the game. It's kinda like back in elementary school, when you had your group of friends, and you wouldn't dare venture over to another, like it was too risqué or forbidden.

If you ask me, the first thing we need to do is abandon the titles we've carried with us. And no, I'm not talking about your guilds - I'm talking about, stop recognizing yourself and others as "Founders," or "Blue Tags," or "Gray Tags," or "Jumpers," or "Griefers," or "Cool Kids," or "Outcasts." Instead, see each other as fellow pirates, all on an equal level, regardless of guild, level, name tag, rank, and so forth.

We need to begin to scope ourselves in to other groups. Instead of passing by any regular pirate, or scowling every time you see "that person," say "Ahoy!" Maybe just by taking that step, we can start to shift towards creating a larger, stronger, better community, here on the forums, across all forums, and on the game.

We're all here for a purpose, after all: Enjoying our time here. So, let's enjoy it with one another.

[Harukantos]

As much as I complain about this game, I do help people as much as I can, and people respect me for being so helpful. Truly I enjoy to help others because it is the meaning of this game, and for younger folks who don't know gaming as well, it does a lot by giving them some good positive morals. Some kids come home each day to play games until they sleep, some just wake up and do that. As adults we should set a good example and treat them with respect by helping them out. Then it could help influence them to be better people outside of this game. Just remember if you get ticked at Pirate Jack the 3rd try to simmer down, he could be a kid.

[Ultima]

You all make good points we shoud help all who need it.I enjoy playing this game
I started this game as a basic access member and I loved the game so much it
was not long before I got unlimited access.I help people when they need it and
I let other people sail my ship when helping them with quest.I worked hard to get
all the war ships and I will lend them to any who asks.

We need to help others stay intristed in the game and many need all the help
thay can get.It is up to us treat others with respect and help when needed.
If we don't respect each other the game can get frustrating and having a level
pirate you can esely give help when needed.There was once a time you you went
strait to jail now you can revive you fellow pirates and I revive without them
having to ask.

If we don't step up now to respect and help each other we might lose more fellow
prates.I for one like to have somany pirates in the caibbean and would like to see
more join.If more of us would sail with our war ships open to others and be helpful
to basic access members we can see more beome unlimited members.

I say we help everyone we can and encourge others to do the same so we can
have a better caribbean for all.

[Dark_Pixie]

I'm with you all the way! That was an inspirational speech, mate! Pirates may be scoundrels and scallywags, but they do listen to each other and make friends. And this is PIRATES Online, no?

[Ofury/ Tom]

I don't think we just need to help them mates. We need to spark their interest in the game as others before have sparked ours. I mean many can find their way through the quests with easeas a basic member but after you hit that lvl 15 mark what to do next? Pay or not pay? when they get to that point we want them to chose the path of Unlimited rather than quitting. Yes, allow them to sail on your larger ships, allow them to steer. ( I know its hard to give up our lovely ships) Get them involved in in-game events that you know of. Spark their interest and then theres another that cares to play in the caribbean. Then they will help us with the newcomers later on. Spark their interest and then we can lite a flame within.

[Captain Sharktooth]

I definitely support this as well. I've played since this game cam out, and it when it was in its beginning, it was way more friendly and more of a community. It would be nice to get to feel this atmosphere and that means helping out the newer players and being nice to every pirate. By doing those things, we can make this community peaceful and kind to all - especially towards the new ones. I can think of many pirates within this community who are examples of what we need to achieve in the Caribbean, and hopefully many more can be like them and create a friendship between us all.

[Robert Ironcastle]

I'm with you all the way mate.With POTC4 coming out,this is a fantastic opportunity to get a huge number of people playing.I,myself,was here since mid 08,and the community was far nicer.Now,we are extremely rude and obnoxious to one another.Imagine a new player's perspective.He just arrived on Tortuga and finds a hailstorm of "NOOB","Shut up noob"among many others.This creates an atmosphere of unpleasantness.How many new and prospective buyers of POTCO have been driven away by extreme unpleasantness?Practically no one will help a low level with their quest nowadays.Our own community drives away many young players.

[kat truewalker]

Avast there!

Hey you have my total support!

Having been here not that long......and loving the game too, i well remember seeing all those marvellous level 40's and swooning in admiration.

Well now i am one...lol

Look for me online if you want any help.......Kat Truewalker, The 8 Pirate Lords Guild.

Oh and I'm also looking for any UK based pirates?

Getting up at 3am to pirate with my friends is hard work lol......

X

[Rod]

That was a long speech but yes, i do help ppl around rofl