Our English Buccaneer out of Tortuga headed out looking for victims. After only two days of moving through the area, sails were spotted to the north heading their way. It was an English-flagged Bark. That didn't stop Aaar Captain Dirtbag (quite the name) to order his men to close. Both ships appeared to be of the same speed, but the Buccaneers eventually closed the range as the Bark tried unsuccessfully to sail past him.
The Captain commanded a Privateer Sloop manned by 7 Experienced Sea Dogs; 6 Inexperienced Sea Dogs; and 4 Inexperienced Freebooters. The Sloop carried 6 6lb cannons. The unfortunate Merchant was crewed by two groups of 6 Inexperienced Sailors each; and 4 Inexperienced Militia, carried 4 6lb guns.
After several turns of maneuvering, Captain Dirtbag ordered the cannons to open fire. And what a volley it was, scoring three hits inc a Lucky Hit. (rolling a 10 on 10d) In Blood and Plunder, each Lt Gun gets two more dice per hit, and with these, he scored two more 10s! Hits on the Sails and also Sheets did just what he wanted...it slowed the Bark down. Now the Sloop had a slight advantage in speed. A fantastic start...
Now that the chances for flight had been reduced, the Merchant Captain ordered his guns to fire, but to no avail...
As the range closed, Muskets from both ships (Sloop above) blazed away, but no hits were scored...
The Buccaneer Freebooters fire a second ineffective volley...
The Merchant sailors succeed in repairing damage to the sails, but then a second destructive volley. Again a Lucky Hit (another 10) scores another point of damage to the sails, slowing it down once again...
But now, the Buccaneers successfully grapple with the Bark and pull themselves together to storm across the gunwales...
The Buccaneers successfully cut down an opponent but for two rolls for saves by the Merchant crew, it would have been far worse...
The Buccaneers continued their assault, cutting down four and routing the fifth Sailor...
The Merchant crew counterattacked with a second unit of Sailors, inflicting the first two Buccaneer casualties...
The Freebooters and Militia exchange musket and swivel fire. One Buccaneer goes down but they gain no fatigue, while three Militiamen are lost (and the fourth routs!). Again saves are made so there is no fatigue. The Merchant Captain needs to make a Strike Test, and by using his last doubloon (you get three a game, and they act as a free re-roll) makes the save. This crew, down over 75%, is fighting to the death...The Merchant Sailors fight desperately, and take down two Buccaneers. They do pick up one fatigue...
But more Buccaneers pour over the gunwales, and take down more Sailors, leaving three while their Captain still on quarterdeck to right) looks on glumly. Can this go on?...
The bloody fight continues as two Buccaneers and one Sailor are lost...
The Merchant Captain and his last sailors are attacked...and the Sailors are lost!
The Captain fails his Strike Test, and he surrenders. Can't image what the Buccaneer Captain is going to do next!
A victory for the Buccaneers! Game system continues to be loads of fun. If you are interested in this amazing period, check out Blood and Plunder at Firelock Games. Avast you maties...set set!
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