Pirate Speed Linking Blog July 2010

Welcome to my July 2010 speed-linking of pirate focused blogs here in New Eden. It's been gone for a while due to me being super busy both in-game and out-of-game but I have been reading nearly all the blogs (especially the pirate themed ones) with gusto. Also, this speed-linking is there for me to track what is going on in the piratey blogosphere - great for intelligence gathering.

Anyway, what has been going on the length and breadth of New Eden's piracy? Planetary Interaction (PI) has been unleashed onto us and the opportunity for piracy is there albeit still limited so I would love to hear from any pirates out there who have been using WH almost exclusively. I know of at least two such black-hearted chaps but I want more!

There's been a fair bit of grumbling and down-right shock at CCP and how they're handling the current CSM and their proposals. More details can be read here and here  both excellent sources but there is so more to come. Some of the reactions have been predictable, others less so. At the core is the acknowledgement by CCP that low-sec space and other bugs will not be fixed for at least 18 months while CCP concentrates on DUST and Incarna. The position of the CSM has been weakened (or corrected?) and the world continues to turn.

Anyway, to the pirate blogs that I have been reading.


KANE RIZZEL

Kane's blog is always on my to-read list but his latest post has made me feel sad. In it, Kane is stepping down from New Eden until things get fixed; he is mad just not that mad to continue paying. Personally, I think he should stay but Kane has always been an independent person with a strong (and loveable) personality. I said my good bye to Kane last night, me and Nashh were thinking of a massive rifter roam with Kane as FC as a final good-bye but Kane has already cancelled his subscription and is now out of New Eden life. So let me go back to some of my favourite posts from Kane's blood soaked past just to remind everyone why Kane is (in my view) the number one solo pirate in New Eden. Don't go for too long mate. I understand that there also needs to be some changes in real life, and giving up smoking is a great first step!

Ramblings of a pirate, School of Hard Knocks and Going Postal.

TheHermit
One of my own from The Bastards, Hermit has been an absolute rock in terms of organising, galvanising, hauling and killing in the latest HK III. He has a blog but this one is different in content and feel from most other blogs; there's new content there and it is of high quality. Well written stories with depth and action. Am surprised he has time to write so well with all the other pressures he has. Recommended reading and I am hoping to read more.

Nashh Kadavr

He missed out on our AT8 involvement due to real life issues. However, it hasn't stopped this man from writing and check out his latest art work too. Nashh Kadavr is a Bastard but he's more well known for his well thought out celebrity death match (CDM) series of blog posts. He has already fought a number of times and is doing well. He has had a fair few CDMs and is busy updating his list and promises to have a post per CDM soon. Additionally, Nashh has contributed new prizes to the Hulkageddon III and have you seen some of the work he has commissioned? Nashh promises more and I wait with bated breath. Oh, for those interested: Nashh and I got acquainted after Mr K. tracked me down and insisted that I duel him in one of his CDM duels, and yes - I accepted and got beaten. I then accepted him into the corp as he already had an application pending. What a final interview!



Lady Shaniqua

Along with Sassy B, 'LS' are violent practitioners of 'boat' violence. I love them both, a two woman tag team that terrorises all. Shaniqua's blog is full of tales of getting stuck in worm holes, asking our very own Persephone Astrid to bake her a cake and nano-based ship violence by the bucket-load. It is written in a fast, easy on the eye and thoroughly enjoyable style. A bit like Lady S herself. Latest blog post has her killing a peeps and forgetting to point others! A must read and therefore recommended by me!


SASSY B

One of the coolest pirates in New Eden. Okay, Sassy B and Lady Shaniqua would probably not call themselves pirates, in fact, both would prefer to eschew labels and go and perform violence on your boats, repeatedly. Very honest, very violent and so very cool. Hence her inclusion in my pirate speed-linking. Sassy B's blog is relatively new but it is different and very fresh. In it, there are well drawn / rendered pictures of ships from all other New Eden. They can be used as forum headers, signatures and pieces of art. Sassy B is in great demand. I strongly urge readers to click on her blog and get a taste of some Sass.

SPECTRE3353

Still one of the craziest and most fun persons that I know of, Spectre3353, AKA EVENewb. He has quit the game at least three times and each time it sounds more and more sincere but within a short period he is back once more! Love him. In between his many announcements of imminent quittage he has posted some outstanding stuff - I especially like his tale of his clashes with a chap called Ken as well as the stories of the ADF. This man is a genius but shhhh, don't tell him I said that. His latest post is about revamping low-sec (re-vamp), like I said - this man has a good head on him with some decent ideas. 

ARRHIDAEUS

Slowly becoming a prolific blogger with each one of his posts being first class, definite quality over quantity every time. Arrhi was heavily involved in The Bastards and The Tuskers AT8 preparation and his two posts (The AT8 Breakdown - Part One and Part Two) on how these two corporations interacted during the AT8 preparation and then into the tournament time itself has been even-handed, fair and well written. A very interesting article and for those pirate corps out there who are thinking of a working closer with that of another equal sized corporations either in an alliance or a straight forward merger, the discussion and conclusions will be relevant. He's also a winner of some monies...


ANDREA SKYE

Another Python Cartel blogger and great pirate to boot. I loved his post on how PC convincingly bloodied BANE in Amamake; a riveting account of when one pirate corporation goes head to head with another pirate corporation. Like a few other bloggers, there appears to be posts galore on the top five ships for piracy. Andrea has her choices here. Love it. I want more Andrea!


00SAGE00

YAPCB (Yet Another Python Cartel Blogger) and great pirate and blogger. By reading all the PC bloggers one can get a firm view on the antics these crazy fools get to. Rather than repeating each other, which happens - each PCBlogger posted their own views of their win over BANE but told from their own view-points, it certainly adds flavour. Check out his Kings of Amamake post. Other gripping tales are here.

JERKS

I love these guys. No really, Paul Clavet writes of his adventures with passion, pace and an eye to humour too. He has been busy with ransoming POS, infiltrating a corporation, a couple of heists and killing some idiots in the last few weeks. He also gets some of the most interesting people to talk to. A busy chap with his friends. Nothing is safe so make sure you nail everything down, there are ninjas about!

Plenty to read on his blog but his latest has him losing his domi....


HELICITY BOSON

Hulkageddon III is an event put together by Helicity Boson of the Python Cartel but probably the one with the most polished looking website (sorry Spect and Andrea et al!) The semi-regular event is now on its third iteration and going strong as ever though about to end (sad panda). The details are here. HC deserves the credit for bringing together the groups and doing the lion's share of the organising. The Bastards have been busy in HK III so go over to the KB and keep a track on how we're doing. However, it hasn't been missed by HC on how CCP feels about the current player base when the CSM minutes were released. His loloveur post (or repost) is cutting and to the point and the best summary so far of what is going on.


NEXA

I haven't read much of Nexa in an age though I know he and her bunch of rascals have been busy.  Eventually, Nexa posts two epic accounts of her empire piracy / war-decing. Sometimes, I wish I wasn't flagged as a criminal! Her tales of smack talking noobs, corp jumpers and general idiots are in two sections. Read them and enjoy: Part One and Part Two.

MARLENUS

I love this guy: salvager cum killer. He tackles a rascist homophobe and a lonely osprey, a stabber that got away and almost killing a raven in an industrial. Marl is an active blogger, with a couple of cool and funny updates each week. Nice one as he keeps it ticking over.

Mr NOXX

Has been blogging steadily now and I enjoy his posts. His blog theme is also first class: dark and brooding and doesn't he look sinister? In real life he has been to Glastonbury but the winner is his post about Battle of the Planets. Mr Noxx, you're a star, haven't seen anything about G-Force in an age. Other posts include his three is a crowd and initially I thought it was a risque menage-a-trois but on reading more it is a bit more straight forward. 

KIRITH DARKBLADE

Come over to Kirith's excellent blog and see which is the most bad-ass pirate ship in New Eden.


EVE-PIRATE

Eve-pirate is a great site with quality posts and stories from many pirates who don't have blogs or who prefer to delight their readers through E-P. 'War and Peace' is a good example of a post by a former member of TRAPS. It is a long read but very enjoyable. The Eve-pirate stalwart: Nexa also has a post here about killing a tengu that was foolish enough to try and take his buffer-cane. Nexa continues with a another quality post on war declaration on those with a big mouth, foolish pretensions and no balls to back it up.

Jager Da

Laments his poor attendance in HK III.He started with 30 thrashers and still have 30 left, come on JD - get out there!

Cebit
A new blog but turning out to be an excellent one - been reading all the entries and it is very impressive.

More Ninjas
Cyberin has done something great - created a mini-speedlink for ninja related blogs. Most excellent my good fellow. If you want to read about these chaps who slip into mission running areas and 'clean up' - then look no further.

No recent posts from:

BRUTUS SEVERUS

No updates due to client upgrade.

KOR ANON

Has sold his character now. 

HAVOHEJ

His latest post was on the 28th February 2010. I don't think he has left New Eden. 

OMGAH

Blog now doesn't exist. 

There are other blogs not yet on this quick review but am reading them!

October Pirate Speedlinking...

Welcome to my October 2009 speed-linking of pirate focused blogs here in New Eden.

[OOC] - on a personal note with the poor health of my mother (not quite improving) and a couple of humanitarian disasters that I deployed to, EVE has had to take a back seat.

Anyway, what has been going on the length and breadth of New Eden's piracy? Here's a very, very quick round-up....

-MYNXEE-

No one could have failed to have noticed that Mynxee was pounding the drum for the Hellcat's party. Her idea simply grew and grew and by the time the party had kicked off, Evati local (and the Hellcats public channel) was heaving with party goers. Local was a mish-mash of impromptu 1v1, the station was also camped by some party crashers, there was some whineage in various channels about targets and over seeing this entire ensemble was the queen of piracy herself, Mynxee. Her after-party thank you and thoughts is well worth a read.

There was also a nice surprise Celebrity Death Match (CDM) that Mynxee was asked to participate. The brain-child of this fun series of matches is Nashh Kadavr, who had placed an application with The Bastards a while ago with the condition that if he beat me, he would be considered. Mynxee and Nashh were to go up against Quivering Palm and Luminus Aardokay of Split Infinity Radio. Ships would be faction cruiser with some tip-top commentating by EVE Alliance Tournament commentator, Teadaze. Mynxee's report is fun and exciting.

Mynxee is my view, should be running for CSM herself but for now, she's content to comment on the candidates and their policies, she's done an analysis on the 49 candidates so far and has already found a fair chunk of them uninspiring and wanting.

-KANE RIZZEL-

Kane's blog is always on my to-read list and his latest exploits has shown that Mr Rizzel is now an Admiral having an impressive fleet that includes his latest toy: a carrier. Recently, he and friends from Mean and Hellequin got together to pop a POS tower in Sotrenzur. I was in a roaming frigate gang when we spotted the cap ships on our scanner and it was good to get some corroboration from Kane. Kane is also a respected fighter of the highest order and I have been honoured by flying as his wing-man in the past. Like me and Wensley and countless others, we fly the rifter and love it. Kane's philosophy, prompted by Wensley excellent post is simple: Fit to Win.

Check out Kane's impressive KillBoard.

-NASHH KADAVR-

Nashh Kadavr is now a Bastard but he's more well known for his well thought out celebrity death match (CDM) series of blog posts. He has already fought a number of times and is doing well. His account of CDM during the Hellcats party is exciting and gripping. An enjoyable series of posts and amusing insights into these 1v1s.
Nashh has been unable to log-in recently due to a hardware crash on his gaming rig but we hope he should be back in the groove soon. Certainly, the killboard and ransomboards are missing his love. Come back soon mate.

-WENSLEY-

With a new name for his blog (Rifter Drifter) and layout, Wensley continues to lead the way with rifter based may-hem and madness. The latest post has Wens showing off the signature making abilities of yet another Pirate, Helicity Boson of the Python Cartel. Who said pirates didn't help each other?

I loved his article (Price of Death) in which he discusses in detail, the cost of pvp and the balance between winning and losing and the isk cost that this entails. Wens brings in and attempts to collect together the different schools of thought when it comes to ship fittings and I thoroughly applaud his effort in doing this. Well done Wens - a talent with the written word as well as the 150mm T2 auto canon!

-SPECTRE3353-

One of the craziest and most fun persons that I know of, is Spectre3353, AKA EVENewb. He's on my quick read list and the antics this chap gets to is nothing short of outstanding.

I knew that Spectre had decided to run for CSM and I threw my support behind him, as did many other of the pirate persuasion. Unfortunately, Spectre fell foul of some EULA ruling that barred him from further consideration. Spectre took this in his stride and decided to get some isk via his silver-tongue and scamming. He's good at it though he attributes the ease of isk to people's greed as much as anything else. Still, he has been accused of being a 'lost cause to humanity'. While I don't scam - I understand that it is a viable method of isk generation and I loved the post. All power to you Spectre.

-ANDREA SKYE-

The last time I visited Andrea Skye, she filled me with some confusion - she's left New Eden for something called WoW, claiming it is a little something sweeter...however, piracy and New Eden always will call people back and being pulled back in Spectre's scamming antics (see above post) - she did her own thing and made enough isk to get a machariel....only for her to lose it. Andrea called it Karma and took the loss with some aplomb. She can always scam to get more isk.

-SHAE T'IANN-

Shae has been so busy in real life and in-game that's it has reduced her pirating time somewhat. However, when you read her latest published installment, I think we can all agree that it is worth the sacrifice.
Well done Shae, you are an inspiration...

-HELICITY BOSON-

Hulkageddon was an event put together by Helicity Boson of the Python Cartel. She deserves the credit for bringing together the groups and doing the lion's share of the organising. A fun event that resulted in much dead miners in high-sec. Due to the swift CONCORD response, we were unable to ransom any of the miners.

She has a nifty new site as well and have I mentioned that Hel does a fine side-line in signature art? I love the clean and clear colours and lines she uses.

-OMGAH-

Omgah the friendly pirate is another PC pirate putting his thoughts down into a blog, no doubt inspired by Spectre.

-BRUTUS SEVERUS-

I was looking forward to some excellent yarr tales of yet another rifter loving pilot but his post was in March and he explains that with the demands of the new client, he would be grounded for the forseeable future. All power to you and hope to see you back in the yarr!

Eve-pirate is a great site but I have neglected it as of late but there's a new post by a chap called 'Grumbles' who has skilfully posted about what an adrenaline rush piracy and pvp is in New Eden as he embarks on his first solo kills in his thorax. New posts include: On a Whim and trial of a newb, part 1. If you want quick snippets of pirating goodness from newer bloggers, go to Ander's excellent site. I still think their forums can do with some improvement....

I know I have missed out many of you but have no worries - am going to try and attempt a part 2!

EVE Pirate Speed Linking March/April 2009

Welcome to my March AND April 2009 speed-linking of pirate focused blogs here in New Eden. Lots have been happening as of late and I have been busy in real life as well as in corp but have no fear, you should now have double the number of posts to look through - all summarised by yours truly.

The last few posts by Marlenus of Ironfleet has been about his experiences in worm hole space, a new phenomena for many capsuleers. Worm holes have been in New Eden since even before the collapse of the gates and the long dark night of ignorance and heresy. However, it wasn't until recently that the technology was stable and economical enough for the majority of the capsuleer community to utilise.

The prospect of newly unexplored space, right on your doorstep with potential rewards in rare ore, gas clouds and sleeper technologies all there to entice the brave, the greedy, the entreprenure and the foolish; has meant potential rich pickings for pirates.

So, one of the best accounts so far has been Marl. His posts (so far five) have been most excellent reading and I recommend them to anyone who wants to exploit the w-h space for their own ends. Latest post is title 'Oh God, How the gas rolls in' as he kills a gas cloud harvester. Yarr indeed. There's been a fair few new posts since the gas cloud one, Marl is a regular poster and his new area of W-SPACE salvage and piracy is a brilliant move.

However, is piracy possible in w-space? It certainly seems so judging by this particular encounter between members of RAZOR and Veto. Some obscenely crap fits there. Anyway, the reality is that a pirate corp needs to be comitted to it with logistics in place. The WH entrance could collapse behind you and one will need to probe themselves out. Being outlaws means that only another WH system or low-sec system is a viable exit point. An worm holes leading into Empire space is non-viable in anything but a covert-ops or nano-fitted ship. Still, I would be very interested to read up or chat to pirates who have gone down this route.

Eve-pirate is a great site but I have neglected it as of late but there's a new post by a chap called 'Grumbles' who has skilfully posted about what an adrenaline rush piracy and pvp is in New Eden as he embarks on his first solo kills in his thorax. New posts include: On a Whim and trial of a newb, part 1. If you want quick snippets of pirating goodness from newer bloggers, go to Ander's excellent site. I still think their forums can do with some improvement....

In terms of networking and ability to get other bloggers to chat, none can beat our dearest Mynxee as her latest Life In Low Sec Discussion kicks off with subject No: 5 'location, location, location...'. Also, due to real life issues, I missed out on contributing the the 6th EVE-Blog Banter.

Now as CEO and blogger-star that she is, for all those pilots out there who complain endlessly about being bored and there being no fleets or action , Mynxee says :'GET OUT THERE AND DO SOMETHING, DUMBASS' or words to that effect. Let me say once and again, if you're female and want to join the best female-only pirate corp in New Eden, drop Mynxee a shout.

Also, doesn't her portrait look HOT?

Been eagerly waiting for the next installment of Shae's excellent Thicker Than Blood series and here it is - Chapter Seven and about time! However, the most thought provoking post was the one near the end of March titled appropriately 'The Skin We're In.' Brilliant stuff and highly recommended. However, lately - there's been some events that has made Shae think more philosophically and none better captures this than her recent 'leaf in the wind' post. There are some new changes being pushed through in New Eden and a shake-up is due. I saw Roc's recent broadcast and being Minmatar myself, I am proud of how my race has stood up for itself more and more but the slight lurge to authoritarianism is worrying me generally. While I view piracy as a life-style and choice; it isn't for everyone and yes, we're viewed as criminals and villains by many. I knew that sooner or later, there would be a reckoning in low-sec space. It will fail.

New Eden's best solo pirate, Kane Rizzel has come back after a break and his tales have exhilarating. His prowess as New Eden's most prominent solo buccaneer resulted in an invitation to be a guest teacher at the Black Rabbits Pirate Academy. I am thrilled and very proud of Kane; well done. Even with his new found academic interest, Kane still had time to kill someone with some class, this time in his Dramiel. A more recent post, has Kane chewing the fat over friends in new eden and how those who are friends can become enemies and those, who were enemies can become friends. It's a funny old world, New Eden more so if you're a pirate.

Wensley has been on leave for a bit and the blogsphere was a bit quiet but he came back with a bang, melting his way through enemy ship after enemy ship; all to the tune of A Little Less Conversation, Elvis Presley! Actually, Wensley has put together a corp blog for his bunch of cut-throats, the Tuskers and the blog is here. or http://thetuskers.blogspot.com/. It's a good idea and creates a portal for his corporation. In fact, I like it so much I might do the same thing for The Bastards; so thank you Wensley. A recent update has Wensley fly the devastating AC Thrasher, a ship set up that I like too but he hasn't had much luck with the sentry guns....better luck next time Wens!

Addendum: Wens is changing the name of his blog to Rifter Drifter and he explains more.

A serious of disturbing posts from Hallan helps explain his disappearance a few weeks ago. Looks like he was kidnapped and then tortured. Why was he tortured so horribly? He was being asked about The Bastards' defensive setup around our 'home' system. Hallan had nothing to say and he was only telling the truth. We simply don't have any defensive weapons systems, procedures or even scouts. People should know where we are - no need to resort to this! So why was Hallan even kidnapped in the first place? It can't be due to his objective of interviewing some of the new CSM candidates could it? Read up his interview with Larkonis of NeoSpartans, here as well as visiting Larkonis' own CSM blog. Hallan also interviewed Chip Mintago, another CSM candidate of which the contents were leaked to the media. A voice recording sorts this one out.

A former corp member both of Black-Flag and The Bastards, Jorge Belda is finding his sea legs once more and relishing the thrill of the solo hunt. JB left us once again to strike out on his own but he still pops in occasionally to say hi and his blog posts keeps us up to date. Just recently he has given notice of the imminent arrival of the next chapter in his 'Dark Omen' series.

It is a welcome return to New Eden for Havohej. He spent six months in a wet-navy pirate world of PotBS but has decided that he will swap his wooden-based frigates for the joys of a tritanium built wolf-class assault frigate. A lot has changed as Hav observes but it is all good and certainly a challenge for all. Just an addendum: his latest post is called 'whispers' and is a recommended read.

Now what has Spectre been up to? Lots it would appear. Since rejoining with the newly formed Python Cartel he's been busy, busy, busy. I chuckled at his latest post about the plight of us blinkies. It isn't easy being green.....

Meanwhile Kor Anon is furiously grinding his sec back into the positives for a mission of some sort. I am very interested in finding out more.

Turning the tables is the latest instalment from Lanissum's well-written and regarded pirate blog. It's a retelling of his engagement with a thorax and hound in his myrmidon after a long and frustrating day. The screen shot of his 18% remaining hull as he docked was testament to a close but enjoyable engagement.

New pirate blogs (well to me anyway...)

• Let me introduce to you Brutus Severus and his blog (http://brutusseverus.blogspot.com/) - another rifter loving pirate, welcome to the brotherhood!
• Hardin has a new blog and while it's nothing to do with pirates - it is a good read..http://internetspacewars.blogspot.com/
• A recently withdrawn candidate, Jmarr Hyrgund has his own blog and a well-written and formatted one at that. His name is Keith Neilson and his name will be known in the future.
  

Addendum: Jmarr has decided to re-organise his blog and In character posts are now under: http://eveyarr.mygamescribe.com/ and it's all good stuff.

Addendum 2: We're now reconsidering his application and his withdrawn status and will re-activate his application soon. He's improved so much in the last few weeks. He's a pirate and a good one too.

• Kazaji, Ghost of Low Sec is a new pirate and new pirate blogger with the recently reformed Python Cartel. His first post, about a month ago now, is here. Welcome Kaz.
• Andrea Skye tells us how Golden Helmet came back and the Doomsprey. I like Andrea's style and delivery, yarr indeed!
• Castor Rom - nice blog and one of the best, cleanest layouts I have seen. What are you using Castor? Also, damn good content. Keep it up. His latest post is something that I know very well, feast and famine.
• http://piratelifeineve.blogspot.com/ by Jonah Karr is another new one and I hope to read more good things from JK.
  

All of these blogs have been added to my list of pirate blogs visible on the right hand side. Have a looksee and tell me what you think?

EVE Pirate Speedlinking Feb 2009

I believe Love was in the air....what did YOU do on the 14th February?

Oh, an article penned by yours truly has made it into print for E-ON #14. Read Crazy Kinux's account of this issue.

Now, onto the existing Pirate Bloggers what have they been up to?

• A most audacious Rorq kill with frigates is recalled with the usual smooth writing skills of Mynxee and her Hellcats. A new Hellcat was being put through her paces and what an introduction to pirating! Even everday stuff; there's always something to write to about so it's not all continuous pirating. Mynxee has time for other more refined things. Not for long, even when not pirating Mynxee is active (wink) and she's been successfully exploring hidden sites around New Eden and she's been lucky enough to get some nice loot. As Mynxee says, 'it's not all about the yarr'. Finally, I have to tip my hat off to Mynxee for starting up and maintain her excellent discussion series, now onto her fourth topic. Do drop by and leave a comment on mentoring and training in New Eden.
  
• Jorge Belda has come back to The Bastards after wandering solo for a few weeks. I suppose the calling for the yarr was too much. However, I strongly suspect that he has his eye on lovely, deadly, man-eating Shae. Jorge's excellent Dark Omen series (now chapter 3) raised an eyebrow or two.
  
• Kane Rizzel continues to be the best solo pirate bar none in New Eden. This is not just my own opinion but that of other pirates and pilots alike. In his post, 'The Sun doesn't always shine' - Kane reveals a day in the life of. While he is disappointed with his kill / loss ratio (I wouldn't!) one can see the professionalism and dedication in the pilot as he continues to cut his own bloody path through New Eden. A week earlier, he managed to kill nine frigates, four destroyers, two interceptors and eight pods....all for the cost of two rifters! Now that is solo god hood in itself. Kane reckons that he had help from the voices say kill. Who is to argue? I have said it before; for anyone who wants to fly solo, check out Kane's blog. This guy is awesome-sauce.
  
• Ever seen a battle badger or a killer mammoth? Industrials can be slow and unassuming but they can be modified to be armed and very dangerous. Hallan joined some friends on a pirate industrial prowl and his account is fun and exciting. Pirate Hauler Roams coming to a system near you. However, it was this powerful post that I wanted people to read and to digest. We're now at war with GIS and friends and Hallan sums up our mentality in the last couple of lines in 'this is where we fight...' and well as this stirring post in who you should always stand beside. Epic and stirring stuff. THIS-IS-HALLAN and don't you chaps forget it.
  
• Now why do I wear shades? It's because I like them not because through some inbreeding I have ended up being cross-eyed! However, Shae's cat managed to run off with them a couple of days ago and somehow, Shae managed to get a picture of me groping around the bottom of the table. I do like that picture though. Well done Shae and I spent the rest of the day with Asa on my lap purring away. She's kinda adorable. However, Shae is without doubt one of the better writers out there and she was invited by EVE-Mag to submit a piece. I loved it and so will you, 'Basters at Twenty Paces' indeed. As one of the more busier bloggers - she and Mynxee (to name two) has taken the group-story-blog approach and weaved it into a gripping and coherent tale. Reading Jorge's 'Dark Omen' series and Shae's accompanying 'Dark Omen' post to see how the story unfolds.
  
• Ka Jolo's recounts in some detail a recent roam with his gang and based on the comments from his readers, he's done a fine job with The Tuskers and I especially enjoy the smaller scale fights they get into and he lastest entry (about 4 weeks ago I might add) is called 'Yo-Ho'. A tale of a small fleet killing a ton of other bigger ships.
• Biz Quick indulges in some enjoyable RP, tipping his hat to Mynxee and Sard.....in Sort of Drunk.
  
• 'Armor plates and Smacktalk is a funny account by Marleus of Ironfleet zips around in his crane and hovers up wrecks all around New Eden...much to the chagrin of aggrieved care bears. Marleus is a pirate at heart but instead of blasting people to scrap, he cuts them up through witty ripostes and steady nerves.
  
• We all thought that he would be gone for good but no, Spectre3353 is back. Some odd non-EVE postings but I can't argue with his kills as of late. In his latest post he tells us of his 'escape'. He continues with a new post on just why, Spectre is an inspiration. Welcome back you scurvy sea-dog.
  
• Pirates do shoot each other and even the pirate bloggers, who I respect right across the board, should shoot each other. As I did with Avan Sercedos, who's latest post is a fun treatment of the joys of the ECM Drone. He recently joined The Tuskers too so hats off to you!
• I love rifters and no-one else (bar Kane) pushes the twin-hulled frigate as had as Wensley, if you want to be enthused over why this T1 frigate hull is the best in it's class, read his post: the frigate that can not die.
• Not too sure whether Cussbeard has embraced the yarr but yes, skill training is still required. A short post by CB.
• Venom has a short burst of posts just to tell peeps that she is around but should be landing in Evati soon.
  

New (well to me) Pirate Blogs:

• There will be Pew is a new blog entry for a pirate calling himself Kor Anon; a very good report on his yarring antics here in his first week report.There is also a link on his blog to his first yarring video. Of course, his name has already generated a couple of comments relating to copyright - there appears to be a fair few 'Kor Anons' and close variations of this name.

Finally, there's some wonderful changes coming now in New Eden and look at the new ship fitting screen....

EVE Speedlinking for January 2009

Well, it is the new year and I hope everyone had a restful and fun time. I certainly ate too much, drank too little (!), slept too little and had a good time. I do regret missing out on the Bastards Meet in London on the 20th December as well as not being able to log in much over the christmas period however; piracy - didn't entirely stop in New Eden.

So, while I have not been able to link in; I have been avidly reading the various pirate blogs that are out there. If for some reason, you are not on this eve pirate blogger's list - drop me a line.

Oh, an article penned by yours truly has made it into print for E-ON #14. Read Crazy Kinux's account of this issue.

Now, onto the existing Pirate Bloggers:

• Kane Rizzel continues to pummel and smash mission runners and their associates in 'Operation Farmer Smash'. There was very little Christmas cheer for these mission runners. Not when Kane has the bit between his teeth and alcohol in his belly. Then there was a break over the new year where Kane recharged his batteries and he came back with single-minded determination. The systems near where Kane lives has many, many raven-class battleships running mission after mission. Many are now getting smarter and using scouts and aligning to stations as soon as they arrive in the mission area. All to make it harder for pirates to get them. However, Kane is a deadly and persistent predator. So sit back and read his account of how he hunts in Your mission should you choose to accept...
  
• I spent a fair time with Mynxee under the mistletoe this christmas. She's a great kisser but one needs to avoid her sharp tongue; if you catch my drift. As with many pilots in New Eden (both capsuleers and non-eggers) it was the right period to take time off. Mynxee needed her space to recollect her thoughts and refocus and I hope the travels has blown out any cobwebs. Once she was back, she continued her on and off romance with Roc - a brilliant, ad-lib conversation through the blog posts; with both posters writing about the same events. Goodbye and hello indeed - I do recommend it. Let's not stop here; she's a pioneer is Mynxee and she decided on dragging out people's opinions on ECM and piracy. Some very good comments there - if you have a strong feeling or opinion, drop them here. Then the beauty of small fleet (complete with two Bastards in two) action in her most recent account is retold here and welcome to Venom, The Hellcats latest recruit.
  
• Ah, my dearest Shae. How I love her soft, silky purring voice and her sharp nails dancing down my back...er, sorry - wrong entry! Anyway, Shae Tiann once again shows me just why I think she's one of New Eden's most talented writers with a thought-provoking tale of a capsuleer 'becoming' in the God Makers. Her work has been recognised and now she's also part of the EVE Fiction Pack. Come on over and have a look. You will not be disappointed. She continues with her novellea, Thicker Than Blood: Chapter Six. This series is highly recommended. Finally, it was with some surprise that she recounted a change meeting we had last night. I didn't realised that I never took my shades off. For you Shae, I will take them off. Change can be disturbing and yes, The Alliance is moving along - a bit too quick so will need to slow down somewhat. With the Alliance tourney arriving as well so soon; there's an element of paranoia too. Still, if you need to have a quiet chat, you know who to call.
  
• Biz Quick has now joined up with Twisted, a pirate corporation and he started his tour of duty with these scurvy sea dogs with a Free Faction Battleship! However, Biz returns to form with a cold beer in hand and targets in front. Actually, I met Biz in the flesh last night - he was with Sard Caid and were hanging around one of the Evati stations. I know both by reputation and associations (being fellow bloggers) but not everyone in The Bastards did. Biz was tackled by one of our number, Sard came to his rescue - mates backing each other up but the The Bastards damage output completely destroyed Biz's sacrilege while Sard got away. I do recall that there was a discussion amongst the pirate bloggers what they would do if they met up in space; with no standings in place; would we all take the opportunity to open fire first? I think the answer was a resounding yes. Hats off to Biz and Sard for a good fight.
  
• I love Ka Jolo's style and verve when it comes to writing and his entries include fantastic accounts of piracy with his corp, the Tuskers (check out 100 minutes of Tusker Glory) but it is his examination of excuses made during and after a fight that has the mind juices flowing. Just for your information, his discussions over a 'GF' deserves another mention.
  
• Like many pirates, Wensley has been busy and not managed to undock much but his a pirate and they live by many codes, one is 'Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbour's Rock'. A very important one as you can see.
  
• Marleus of Ironfleet uses his battle crane to great effect. He even chased off a wolf in it. For those pirates out there who prefer to er, acquire goods and need a ship with a big enough cargo and how it should be done; read Ironfleet.
• For the love of the profession is the latest entry from one of my favourite pirate corporates, Suddenly Ninjas, run by Tchell Dahhn. Yes, Marleus is in the same alliance as these chaps.Tchell is now a member of the CSM I gather? Excellent!
• VB Sarge continues to have much happen in his real life but he had time to sit down and pen yet another quality post under the title 'Sometimes you just do' and most pirates will agree with the tone and sentiments of this most complex pirate. Recommended reading.
• Krendar starts to feel the need for sleep as she juggles a 1000 things at once. Setbacks is her latest blog post and in character too.
• Sard Caid, is not a solo pirate anymore having signed up with Twisted Inc. Still, he captures perfectly the trials and tribulations of flying solo. He muses on where his path may take him and yes, The Bastards can be quite chaotic - we're pirates after all and not a well-oiled and disciplined alliance. I question whether Faction Warfare would be a suitable avenue - you get low-sec PvP without hits to your security for sure, but from my experience, it does vary and over towards the Gallente and Caldari fisticuffs, they sometimes degenerate into blob fests.
• You want some smack talk in local? Hallan managed to copy the conversation spewing forth from some gate campers as he was drifting through a system. Great read.
  

New Pirate Blogs:

• Twisted Adventures in Molden Heath by Belial Tempter. Belial is a demon prince according to Wikipedia.
• Venom is our newest kitten in the Hellcat club. Welcome and I hope you grow under the stern but safe tutelage of Mynxee and Shae.
  

No new year's post from the other assembled pirates though:

• Jedizah
  
• Spectre has now left New Eden and his return date is unknown.
• Cussbeard
• Havojeh
• Khaled Urduni
• DJ Akula
• Kalazar
• Azadeh Lawliet.
• Lanissum
• Blackhearted Pirate

EVE Pirate Blog Speed-linking December 2008

Christmas is here!

December 2008 EVE-Online Pirate Blogs, my summary.

• Kane Rizzel is back with a bang and he shows us, once more, how effective he is as a predator with a vivid tale of Kane hunting and waiting for a raven-flying mission runner. He killed him three times and causing much grief in The Farmer's Tale.
  
• Wensley decided on a GANK GANG - damn fine fun and an impressive amount of DPS from T1 cruisers. His blog was featured on episode three of MicroWarpCast; a superb series alongside the Virgin PodCast library of EVE-Online shows. Get iTunes onto it and download! However, Wensley doesn't just talk about gank gang. Nope, the prolific blogger churned out quality post after quality post and I have to highlight the 'Rifter PVP Guide' as being a most superior entry. Following this most excellent post, he then goes in his rifter and kills some State Protectorate Drones in his rifter of doom.
  
• Skira Ranos has put together a very useful, well-written 'Beginners Guide to Piracy'. To be honest, even seasoned salty dogs could do with a remainder and a run through of the basics. Well done Sir!
  
• Thanks to Mynxee, she has led me to Sard Caid, a pirate terrorising Molden Heath - read his exploits in the well-named: Broadside. I like the style already and MH isn't too far from me....
• However, how can I forget Mynxee; that husky voiced vixen pirate? She did go a bit gooey over Roc Weiler however. Gushing some might say...but no, I will not pry into the affairs of a lady and besides, she's been busy with her part of The Bastard alliance - what do you all think of her new logo?
  
• 'We are having hot lesbian sex'. Well, that is part of the profile text for Shae Tiann. Did it capture your attention? I hope so as when I saw the words 'Lesbian', 'Sex' and 'hot', how can you leave the page? Actually, her posts on 'Rescuing Mr Frog' and 'Chapter Three: Thicker Than Blood' and 'Chapter Four: Thicker than Blood' should be the reason to linger around this most delectable and sexy of female pirates.
• Biz Quick has now come back Molden Heath....and I hope to see some explosions soon. He calls himself 'predictable', but the only thing I can 'predict' about him from viewing his KB is that he will, most likely, kill you.
• That salty pirate dog, Jedizah always writes with a certain style and panache and yes, San Rintu is no more - having been sold to some dirty Amarrian Slave trader. However, without missing a beat, Jedizah picks up the story-telling baton and hits the spot with a snap-shot of a week in the Bastards, with multi-billion isk kills and a fracturing of a long-term relationship with another pirate group; after breaking some Rules of Engagement.
• December also saw the pirate blogsphere bid farewell to Spectre. His exit was a typical fanfare-filled flamboyant send off and his Haiku driven giveaway, ended with a twist. Come back soon you pirate you!
• Cussbeard is still enjoying his studying at EVE-U but his blog page is looking more pirate-like with each passing day. He had a crack at Spectre's Haiku giveaway with some nice replies. Cussbeard may be a haiku master.
• VB Sarge has had much happen in his real life but he had time to sit down and pen a worthy post on 'Searching for the truth'. Recommended reading.
• Havojeh continues with wet navy piracy with an article of an interesting interview with the devs of PotBS. Good for those interested in non-EVE-Online piracy.
• Marleus of Ironfleet is continuing his prowls into Morsus Mihi (bite me) space and he reports back on collection run. Battle prowler indeed.
  

New Pirate Blogs

• Khaled Urduni, is another brother pirate, flying with me in The Bastards and he adds his own flavour and style to the Blogging world. You know? I think that a fair number of the New Eden related Blogs are pirate-oriented and of them, a good chunk are with us, The Bastards. Khaled kicks off his journey in the literary world with a fantastic first post about what it is like to fly with us and to be with us. We're not the best pirate corp in New Eden (yet), nor the richest, nor the most feared, most isk effective, one with the best K/D ratio - but we sure have fun. We'll kick down your doors and stomp on your throat. Such is the the Epicness of The Bastards. His most recent post is an audacious Hulk steal.
  
• Krendar tells us how she lost her citizenship and her loyalty to the decaying empire states in her Thoughts of an outlaw. Welcome my sister, to the dark side. She has recently followed up on this post with 'Part Deux' and her thoughts on an ex-corp member's Betrayal.
  
• DJ Akula is another Bastard, he had a blog called 'The Drone Collector' way before he even considered joining us but he has been strangly quiet on the writing front. Maybe because he has been too busy killing people?
• Kalazar is a hopeful Bastard candidate, coming along with his three corp mates from the non-defunct, DOOM Armada (that counted the Hellcats as their members). His first post so far is an introduction to himself to New Eden and we welcome him.
• Alongside Kalazar, we have his partner in crime: Azadeh Lawliet.
  

Pirates who got tagged recently.
If you want to find out about some real life facts about us, the pirating bloggers then follow these links.

Seven real facts about some New Eden pirates:

• Flashfresh
• Wensley
• Mynxee
• Shae Tiann
• DJ Akula
• Lanissum
  
• Kane Rizzel
• Cussbeard (you're a pirate really!)
• Ka Jolo
• Blackhearted Pirate
  

Those Pirate Bloggers who fly under THE BASTARDS banner now include:
Flashfresh, Jedizah, Khaled Urduni, Hallan Turreck, DJ Akula, Jorge Belda, VB Sarge, Spectre (now departed), Mynxee, Shae Tiann, Lanissum and (hopefully) Kalazar.

Some wishes:

To Votrian: join the pirates!

To The Bastards: A merry Christmas to my corp and friends: may New Eden yield much loot, epic ransoms and fights and isk in 2009!

To The HellCats: Angry women with guns. HAWT.

Finally, I wish a merry Christmas to all my readers (there appears to be at least two of you!) and a festive, safe and fortuitous New Year.

EVE Pirate Blog Speed-linking November 2008

November 2008 New Eden Pirate Blog Round Up.
As you all know, there's more and more blogs out there and difficult to keep track of. The speedlinking below includes only recently updated pirate based blogs. Manasi and Ombey, as much as I love them both don't feature in this list unless they have done something 'naughty'. CrazyKinux however, has most, if not all other non-pirate blogs covered.

I did notice something quite interesting: it does appear that at least five pirate bloggers are with The Bastards now and fly together on a regular basis. With the two regular Hellcats (Mynxee and Shae Tiann) flying with the Bastards on a regular basis as well; that's seven pirate bloggers all flying together. Good times indeed and readers can expect plenty of output.

Now, to the Blogs and recent entries as of 14-24th November 2008......

• Not all blogs are our own recounting of ransoms and kills; we have some very talented writers too and Thicker than Blood: Chapter One by one of my favourite lady pirates, Shae Tiann, is an atmospheric and tightly-written piece of work. Recommended reading by pirates and non-pirates alike. However, her post on frigate swarm is a fun recounting of the same mad-cap action that I was involved in. It's aptly called 'It's only a blob is you die'. Indeed it is. Oh, just realised that Shae has now Thicker than Blood: Chapter Two up and available. Now get your ass over to her blog.
  
• While I only play EVE-Online, I do like to keep abreast of other games and Havohej goes one further and carries on the pirate antics in Pirates of the Burning Sea MMORPG with a nice article on the Deliverance Heavy Frigate and the the Tiger Sleek Frigate. Like I said, I don't inhabit any other universe apart from New Eden but PotBS looks fascinating. Real wet navy yarrage.
  
• Mynxee and some of her Hellcats have been flying with us and her blog entries has always been a great read. I love this one about how aspiring bloggers can add some love to their blog. A wonderful article and I highly recommend it. Additional to thought provoking ones, we have a tale of busting mission and exploration runners here and Mynxee's own recollection of our frigate swarm in her post: Tiny HoofBeats from hell, is a nice read. By the time you read this, Mynxee should also be on her 100 or 101st Blog post. Happy Blogging Mynxee!!
  
• Pirates are people too and Wensley celebrates his birthday. Pop over to his page and say hi. I did and so should you, dear reader. However, what about tales of yarrage and mayhem? Well, his pirate corporation, the Tuskers is growing stronger day by day and Wes gives a nice update on them.
  
• Specre3353 has now joined The Bastards and for a time was top of our killboard. Such a bad boy and check out his picture of a baby sandwich, in all seriousness - he is a superb pilot and a wonderful addition to our group. This entry has the tale of an ejecting pilot who had his ship ransomed back to him for a cool 200 million isk; a result in anyone's books. He also has some words about those who are cocky as well as his much prepared hiatus from New Eden. Come back soon Spectre3353!!
  
• With the recent changes in Quantum Rise; there have been many reactions - San Rintu pens a few, well written paragraphs on the Assault Frigate class ship, much neglected but now being shown some love. Of course, he also chats about the infamous FC'ing cow.....read it here.
  
• Marleus, from Iron Fleet makes a welcome return to the pirate blogsphere with a post informing us that Iron Fleet are now in the same alliance as Suddenly Ninjas, a bunch of pilots who, well - 'acquire' your loot and wrecks. I think it can be best summed up as 'we're cloaked and we're in YOUR mission.' Indeed, now all mission and complex runners, be afraid. Tchell Dahhn's manifesto is here for all to see and to understand their position.
• Another corp mate of mine, Hallan Turrek, drops in a thoughtful post of 'what is the point?' - indeed; but there is a point isn't there? However, Hallan (like Shae) is also a fine fiction writer and please, please check the first in what I hope to be a superb installment: 'Death in the Family: Chapter 1'. His latest post is aptly titled 'It ain't suicide if you live.' - which Hallan has proven time and time again when he throws his rifter into absolutely crazy odds. Love that man.
  
• Not forgetting another female pilot of a pirate-like persuasion is Super Gamer House Wife, didn't realised she was part of the Ninja Pirates, but an enjoyable read.
• Now, a myrmidon is a mighty battle cruiser and Ka Jolo, a pirate of much renown regales us with his ship kill in this vessel and an enjoyable tale of revenge on Furb Killer. While his latest blog post; he explains that as CEO - it isn't all pew-pew and the sound of isk.
  
• I haven't heard much from Kane Rizzel during the months of Oct and early Nov as he had taken some much needed time off from being plugged into his various ships of doom but I hoped he kept up with news and we were all looking forward to his return......and speak of the devil - Guess who is back? also, since this entry Kane has been getting his teeth into many a foe and Rifter GoGoGo post epitomises Kane's professionalism and skill as a solo pirate. He's back and he's still the best.
  
• Anders has a tale to tell on his recent trip to Iceland and the fanfest. The Bastards are already talking about going to Fanfest 2009. I can't wait.
• OK OK - Manasi isn't a pirate but his post on over-view settings had to be linked here 'cause it is cool, so useful and damn well written.
  

New Pirate blogs ( well new to me!)

• Biz Quick, a pirate from Molden Heath has some great RL news here.
• BlackHeart, another new pirate in New Eden tries to get her head around the scanner in her latest musings. I wonder if she is a candidate for the Hellcats?
• Cussbeard was an applicant to The Bastards but switched to learn more with the much respected EVE University. We hope to see him in space once he has graduated. In his latest post, he talks about Alienhand and his tunes.