There's always going to be a time when people don't know each other that well yet, and other times when they do. One reason that starting people as new can work is because it allows players to form new friendships/connections/relationships, and figure each other out. If everyone already knows each other, that is already a given. However, I can see your reasoning as well.<br/><br/>So how do my suggestions sit with you?<br/><br/>If we move the game on a couple of months, the crew would be more familiar with each other. They would've had time to plan out the mission together. If you want a new First Mate, they could be someone who Samson's worked with before, but it would've been back before Samson's wife stole his other ship.