# Loose Crew & Morale System Pattern

A reusable pattern for pirate / naval TTRPG campaigns where the user wants loose, story-first crew rules instead of heavy simulation.

## Core idea

Track one **Ship Mood** number from 1 to 6. The rest is flavor.

| Mood | Name | Mechanical hint |
|------|------|-----------------|
| 6 | Singing | +1 to ship rolls |
| 5 | Steady | Normal |
| 4 | Grumbling | No bonus, minor delays |
| 3 | Sullen | -1 to ship rolls |
| 2 | Restless | -1 plus a problem this session |
| 1 | Mutinous | -2 or they refuse orders |

Apply the modifier to chase/escape, boarding, repairs under pressure, spotting danger, and hazard navigation.

## Named crew roster

Keep a small table for officers and regulars:

| Name | Role | Trait | Vibe | Secret / dream / grudge |

Vibe is one of: loyal, wary, trouble, neutral, eager, tired.

Update vibe only when something dramatic happens. Do not track HP, loyalty percentages, or wages for named crew unless a specific scene demands it.

## The rest of the crew

Treat them as atmosphere. When a random deckhand is needed, roll d20 or pull from a short nickname table. They cheer, complain, fight, and die in broad strokes.

## Captain's orders

One per scene. Pick narratively. Cost or gain mood:

- +1 or +2 mood: share plunder, rum for all, shore leave, victory, nakama moment
- -1 mood: full sail, double watch, tighten belts
- -2 mood: press gang, make an example, marooning, starvation

## Supplies

Track in buckets, not ledgers:

- Food & water: Plenty / Low / Out
- Rum: Plenty / Low / Dry
- Gold: Flush / Okay / Broke / Deep in debt
- Repair materials: Fine / Scarce / Critical

## Daily event tables

Use 2d6 tables. Each result is a narrative prompt, not a mandatory mechanical effect.

Suggested tables:

- Ship Life
- Storm & Danger
- Port & Shore
- Convergence / Weird
- Faction Heat
- Single Crewman Beat

The 2d6 distribution naturally weights calm/normal days (7) over extremes (2, 12), which suits background ship life.

## Mutiny

Mutiny is a dramatic scene, not a hidden percentile check. When it happens:

1. Name the ringleader (usually the most aggrieved named crewman).
2. Decide who sides with them based on vibes.
3. Resolve through negotiation, intimidation, combat, or escape.

## Markdown tracker

A minimal Daily Ship Log markdown page:

- Day / location / weather / mood
- Supply buckets
- One captain's order
- 2d6 event result
- Short log entries
- Named crew changes table

## HTML tracker (optional)

If the user wants a web tool, build it lightweight:

- Big mood number with +/- buttons
- Supply bucket dropdowns
- Named crew cards (name, role, trait, vibe, secret)
- 2d6 event roller per table
- Small ship's log

Avoid: wage math, HP tracking, per-crew loyalty bars, daily ration accounting, hidden mutiny percentile rolls.

## Reference tone

Black Flag: shanties, swagger, sudden brutality, freedom.
One Piece: found family, ridiculous dreams, nakama loyalty, dramatic extremes.