R. McGahey

Skull and Bones – Captain’s Chronicles (2025)

Captain's Chronicles (writer/designer)
Skull and Bones, Ubisoft 
Community Narrative Campaign
In collaboration with Ubisoft Singapore

Captain’s Chronicles was a narrative device that showcased the impact of player gameplay on the overarching war narrative of Faction Wars (Y2S3). Each chronicle was written reactively to the outcome of a phase of fighting concluded by players. Posted as in-game as news articles, and externally on the Skull and Bones Community Discord, and the State of War website.

"Captain's Chronicles has been an excellent addition to the community. I love the way that it expands on the world's lore, and how it gives us our own creative outlet for the setting of the Indian Ocean."

It sought to:

• Explore the impact on the player’s character to create emotional connection and investment.
• Detail the state of the warring factions with each win/loss.
• Encourage players to further engage with the narrative from the perspective of their character.

When a phase of fighting ended, the Chronicles provided information on the changing state of war and the impact on factions and/or NPCs within.

As the smoke of cannon-fire settles once more, it is the Compagnie Royale who stand in the lead. Haphazardly shifting tides have turned the war even further in their favour. You’ve no doubt Jonas Vanderkill seethes at these further losses: for his reputation with the Dutch Merchant Company stands on the line. Under orders from Commodore-General Cornelis Van Kroon, he was to bring the Indian Ocean into the motherland’s grasp, and yet this ambition has proven to be all bark — and no bite.

It also allowed the flexibility to write in the unexpected: such as players realising they could sink their own faction’s ships to prevent the other side from winning assets:

Not least, with the prior arrival of Opstuwing and Soleil Imperial. Both ships faced unprecedented odds, with rumours of privateers for the Compagnie Royale going as far as to sabotage their own pledged-to faction. By engaging distracted Dutch forces as they sought to sink Soleil Imperial, these privateers struck blows on both sides and profited from looting both French and Dutch cargo. Unsurprisingly, they have since been issued warrants for their capture by Duke Henri Valois, on behalf of his Majesty.

And celebrated player’s efforts – such as a last minute, overnight attempt to change the tide of the battle before the opposing side had a chance to react before the game entered maintenance:

However, this resistance was not destined to last. As this phase of fighting comes to a close,
the Red Isle is now in the hands of the Compagnie Royale. Through a final full-scale strategic
overnight assault, the Dutch Merchant Company has successfully been brutally pushed from
the region. Battered and bruised, the remaining Dutch fleet now relocates to the south-eastern
regions of the Indian Ocean.

Martians arrive on Earth in 1895, forcing two sisters to flee to London in the hopes of refuge.

1895. The village of Woking sleeps soundly as a meteor shower lights up the night’s sky, oblivious to the approaching threat as Martians turn their greedy eyes towards Earth; a fertile and resplendent planet with plenty of resources that they can no longer find on Mars. Lily and Eve sit huddled together on the vast plains of moorland, counting falling stars, until one falls too close to home.

• Based on the popular novel War of the Worlds by H.G Wells.
• Narrative RPG that seeks to evoke emotional response in the player.
• Driven through the perspective of two young sisters.
• Centralised around their bond, and determination to survive.

Finton Turlough
Squad: Nighthaven – Operator
Date of Birth: 16th February
Place Of Birth: Dublin, Ireland

Specialist Finton Turlough has remained careful to not reveal anything further than what’s visible on the surface. Confident, self-ambitious in nature and fully willing to take the world in his stride. To external observers Turlough holds himself as a successful and affluent agent with an eye for deadly detail. Yet as our sessions have progressed, this psychological mask remains a persistent subconscious attempt to camouflage and suppress deeper concerns. To bury fear.

– Dr. Harishva “Harry” Pandey

“Some folk are born with all the luck. I make my own.”

Full Document Here