A Wargamer in Cyprus

I live in Cyprus, I play too many periods, and I don’t believe you need more miniatures, just better games. This blog is the digital continuation of my old paper wargames diary. Since 2016 it’s become a place to explore campaign gaming, solo systems, historical skirmishes, and the constant process of adapting rules to fit the figures I already own. Expect battle reports, project notes, campaign frameworks, and the odd Durham Wargames Club pilgrimage. It’s practical, narrative-driven wargaming.

Thursday, 9 July 2026

Quick Notes” version of Blood & Plunder

I made these notes and quick reference sheets to help me in game.

⚔️ BLOOD & PLUNDER — CONDENSED LAND RULES (NEW EDITION + BTL FORTUNE)

(Beginner cheat sheet for land battles)

1. TURN SEQUENCE (Land Game)

(The core loop — memorize this and the game flows.)

Start Phase

Draw Activation Cards = one per unit in the force.
Resolve Events immediately as they are drawn.

Action Phase

Initiative Step
- Both players reveal an Activation Card.
- Highest suit wins.
- If suits match → highest number wins.
- If still tied → roll off.
Activation Step
- Winner activates a unit and takes its actions.
- Loser activates a unit and takes its actions.
- Repeat Initiative → Activation until all units have activated once.

End Phase

Check scenario victory conditions.
Check Strike Points & Strike Tests.
Discard leftover cards.

2. ACTIONS (Land Units)

(What units can actually do.)

Standard Actions

Move
Charge
Shoot
Reload
Rally (if not Shaken)
Go Prone / Stand

Dedicated Actions

(Must be the only action taken this activation.)

Fight (melee)
Dismount
Spike Artillery
Start Fire
Repair
Rally (if Shaken)

3. ACTIONS PER CARD SUIT (Training Level)

(How many actions your unit gets when activated.)

Training	♠ / Highest	♥	♦	♣ / Lowest
Inexperienced	1	1	2	2
Trained	1	2	2	3
Veteran	2	2	3	3

Use this table constantly — it determines your tempo.

4. SHOOTING (Small Arms)

(Most common attack in land games.)

Range Penalties (4" bands)

Range	Penalty
0–4"	+0
4–8"	+1
8–12"	+2
12–16"	+3
16–20"	+4
20–24"	+5
24–28"	+6
28–32"	+7

Shoot Sequence

Pick target.
Check range → apply penalty.
Roll Shoot Test.
If hit → target makes Save (usually 9+ unless in cover).
Apply Fatigue if required.

5. FATIGUE (Core Morale Mechanic)

(This is where beginners struggle — here’s the simple version.)

Fatigue Levels

1 Fatigue: No effect.
2 Fatigue: Unit loses 1 action when activated.
3 Fatigue: Unit becomes Shaken immediately.
7 Fatigue OR double models: Unit Routs (removed).

Shaken Units

Cannot act normally.
Must take Dedicated Rally to recover.
Often forced to go prone or fall back depending on situation.

6. MELEE (Fight Action)

Must Charge to enter melee.
Melee is resolved with Fight (Dedicated Action).
Units remain Engaged until one side breaks or is destroyed.

7. COVER & BUILDINGS

Cover

Hard cover = –1 to Save Target Number (better protection).
All models must be in cover to benefit.

Building Fortitude & Integrity

Type	Fortitude	Integrity
Shanty	2	2
Wooden Building	2	3
Large Wooden	3	3
Stone Building	3	3
Large Stone	3	4
Very Large	4	4

Buildings are tough — use them.

8. CRITICAL DAMAGE (Land Structures)

(Only matters when artillery hits buildings.)

Building Critical Table (Simplified)

10: Total Collapse
8–9: Fire
2–7: Debris
1: No Effect

9. STRIKE POINTS & STRIKE TESTS

(Army‑level morale.)

Gain Strike Points for:

Every 25% casualties (rounded down)
Catastrophic critical damage
Scenario objectives completed by enemy
Commander’s flagship deck occupied (naval only)
Flagship hull/rigging halved (naval only)

Strike Test

If you have 2+ more Strike Points than opponent:

Roll vs Commander’s Resolve.
If commander is dead → auto fail.

Failing usually means you lose the game.

10. FORTUNE (New Edition)

(Optional in old rules — now fully integrated.)

Fortune is your heroic resource pool.

How Much Fortune You Get

Determined by scenario or commander.
Usually 3–6 points.

What You Can Spend Fortune On

Use	Effect
Re‑roll a Test	Re‑roll any test except damage or initiative
Boost Actions	Gain an extra action (max 3 total)
Boost Initiative	Add successes to initiative
Trigger Special Abilities	Some commanders/units have Fortune‑powered abilities

Fortune Limits

Max 3 uses per activation.
Fortune cannot re‑roll both initial hit and damage dice — choose one.

Fortune makes commanders feel like heroes — use it wisely.

11. SIMPLE LAND TURN WALKTHROUGH

Use this as your mental script:

Start Phase

Draw cards
Resolve events

Action Phase

Reveal initiative cards
Winner activates a unit
Loser activates a unit
Repeat until all units activated

End Phase

Check victory
Check strike points
Discard cards

12. Beginner Land Tips

Always track fatigue — it wins games.
Reload often — muskets fire slowly.
Use cover — saves go from 9+ to 8+.
Don’t blob — grenados punish clumps.
Rally shaken units immediately.
Charge only when necessary — melee is brutal.
Spend Fortune early to swing key moments.

🌊 BLOOD & PLUNDER — CONDENSED NAVAL RULES (NEW EDITION + FORTUNE)

(Beginner cheat sheet for sea battles)

1. TURN SEQUENCE (Naval Game)

(Same as land, but ships move in the End Phase.)

Start Phase

Draw Activation Cards (one per unit).
Resolve Events immediately.

Action Phase

Initiative Step

Reveal Activation Cards.
Highest suit wins.
If suits match → highest number wins.
If still tied → roll off.

Activation Step

Winner activates a unit → takes its actions.
Loser activates a unit → takes its actions.
Repeat until all units have activated once.

End Phase

Move ships (residual movement).
Check Critical Damage spread.
Check Victory Conditions.
Check Strike Points & Strike Tests.
Discard leftover cards.

2. SHIP MOVEMENT (PG. 82–84)

(The heart of naval play.)

Every ship moves 3 times per turn

First activation of controlling player
Last activation of controlling player
One activation in between

Speed Formula

Sail Setting ± Wind ± Rigging Damage = Speed

Sail settings: 0, 1, 2, 3
Wind direction matters (Windward, Large, Wind’s Eye).

3. BASIC MANEUVERS (No Action Required)

Move Forward

Move full current speed straight ahead.

Turn

Turn up to the ship’s Turn Value (in inches).
Turn must be at start or end of movement.
If no models on stern deck → Turn Value –1.

4. ADVANCED MANEUVERS (Dedicated Action)

(Require a unit crewing Sheets & Braces.)

Target Numbers

7+ normally
5+ Sailors
4+ Expert Sailors

Box Haul

Must start within 45° of wind.
Move backwards at sail setting or 3" (whichever is lower).
If failed → ship drifts + lucky hit to rigging.

Tack

Must start within 45° of wind.
Move forward 3" or sail setting.
Must turn fully through the wind.
If failed → drift + lucky hit to rigging.

Wear

Turning away from wind.
+1 to Turn Value.
If end facing windward → lucky hit to rigging.
If failed → turn normally (no +1).

5. DRIFTING

If drifting:

Bow toward wind → move backwards
Bow away from wind → move forwards
Drift speed = Wind Speed + 1"

Drift happens at the same times as normal ship movement.

6. ARTILLERY (PG. 77)

(Cannons and swivels.)

Artillery Types

Gun	Min Crew	Move Penalty	Initial Dice	Damage Dice	Reload
Swivel	2	–1"	3	–	2
Light Cannon	2	–1"	1	2	4
Medium Cannon	3	–2"	1	3	4
Heavy Cannon	4	Immobile	1	4	4

7. ARTILLERY RANGE PENALTIES

4" Bands (Swivels, Small Arms, Grapeshot)

0–4" +0
4–8" +1
8–12" +2
12–16" +3
16–20" +4
20–24" +5
24–28" +6
28–32" +7

8" Bands (Roundshot & Chainshot)

0–8" +0
8–16" +1
16–24" +2
24–32" +3
32–40" +4
40–48" +5
48–56" +6

8. SHOOTING WITH CANNONS

Initial Hit

Roll Base Target Number + Range Penalty.
If hit → apply damage.

Damage

Units in open: automatic hit, no save.
Structures (hull, rigging, buildings): roll vs Fortitude + Range Penalty.

Shot Types

Roundshot

Unlimited range
Half damage to rigging
No saves for units in open

Chainshot

Anti‑rigging
Half damage to hull
+2 rigging fortitude if not at highest sail setting

Grapeshot

Anti‑personnel
Uses small‑arms range penalties
Roll initial + damage dice together

9. TARGETING SHIPS (PG. 90)

Targeting Hull

Add hull fortitude to shoot penalty
Units on deck take 1 hit per hull hit
Hull usually gives hard cover

Targeting Rigging

Min range 10"
Add rigging fortitude
Units in rigging take hits
Every 2 rigging damage → 1 hit to deck below

Targeting Units

Small arms & swivels as normal
Hull often gives hard cover

10. BOARDING ACTIONS (PG. 90)

Ships must be touching and fouled or grappled.
Units may Charge across 1".
Fight as melee in structures.
If all enemy units removed → ship is captured.

11. GRAPPLES (PG. 88)

Must be within 3".
Roll 5+.
Smaller ship moves toward larger.
Grappled ships drift as one.
Cut grapples with an action.

12. COLLISIONS (PG. 88)

Ship vs Ship

1–5 Hulls collide
6–9 Rigging collides
10 Rigging collides + ships fouled

Ship vs Terrain

Bow/stern → run aground
Side → run aground on 6+

13. RUNNING AGROUND (PG. 87)

1–14 No effect
15+ Run aground hard → D5 hull damage + immobilized

14. FATIGUE (PG. 46)

(Same as land.)

1 Fatigue → no effect
2 Fatigue → lose 1 action
3 Fatigue → Shaken
7 Fatigue or double models → Rout

15. STRIKE POINTS (PG. 133–134)

Gain Strike Points for:

25% casualties
Catastrophic critical damage
Ship immobilized
Ship destroyed or captured
Enemy completes scenario objective
Enemy on flagship deck
Flagship hull/rigging halved

Strike Test

If you have 2+ more Strike Points than opponent:

Roll vs Commander Resolve
Commander dead → auto fail

16. FORTUNE (New Edition)

(Heroic resource pool.)

What Fortune Can Do

Re‑roll a test (not damage or initiative)
Gain an extra action (max 3 total)
Boost initiative
Trigger special abilities

Limits

Max 3 uses per activation
Can re‑roll initial hit OR damage, not both

17. SHIP DETAIL SECTION (Beginner‑Friendly)

(Pure Blood & Plunder profiles — no hybrids.)

Small Craft

Longboat

Fast under sweeps
No cannons
Great for boarding & landing troops

Canoe / Pirogue

Very fast sweeps
No cannons
Coastal raiding, ambushes

Light Ships

Sloop

Excellent turn value
2–4 cannons + swivels
Great for boarding and maneuver warfare

Bermuda Sloop

Best windward performance
4–6 cannons
Elite precision ship

Shallop

Hybrid boat‑ship
Good sweeps
Swivels only

Medium Ships

Brigantine

Balanced all‑rounder
6–10 cannons
Great for mixed artillery + boarding

Fluyt

Tanky hull
8–12 cannons
Broadside slugfest ship

Corvette

Fast warship
8–12 cannons
Aggressive broadsides

Heavy Ships

Frigate

Heavy warship
12–20 cannons
Long‑range artillery duels

Galleon

Huge flagship
20+ cannons
Slow but devastating

Man‑of‑War

Ultimate warship
20–30 cannons
Scenario/campaign play only

18. Beginner Naval Tips

Crew Sheets & Braces early — you need advanced maneuvers.
Chainshot cripples enemy movement — use it.
Roundshot into hull = panic on deck.
Grapeshot at close range = brutal.
Don’t sail into the wind’s eye unless forced.
Board only when enemy is weakened.
Spend Fortune early to swing key artillery rolls.

⚓ BLOOD & PLUNDER — SHIP COMPARISON MATRIX (NEW EDITION)

(Beginner‑friendly, practical, and sized for printing)

Ship Class Matrix (Performance, Guns, Crew, Role)

Ship	Speed	Turn Value	Artillery Capacity	Crew Requirements	Best Use
Canoe	Very fast (sweeps)	Excellent	None	4–8	Ambush, shallow water, boarding
Pirogue	Fast (sweeps)	Excellent	None	6–10	Hit‑and‑run, coastal raiding
Longboat	Moderate (sweeps)	Good	Swivels only	8–12	Landing troops, boarding
Shallop	Moderate	Good	Swivels	10–14	Hybrid boat‑ship, boarding
Sloop	Fast	Excellent	2–4 cannons + swivels	12–20	Maneuver warfare, boarding
Bermuda Sloop	Very fast	Best in game	4–6 cannons	14–22	Elite precision gunnery
Brigantine	Good	Good	6–10 cannons	20–30	Balanced artillery + boarding
Corvette	Fast	Good	8–12 cannons	20–30	Aggressive broadsides
Fluyt	Slow	Poor	8–12 cannons	24–36	Tanky hull, broadside slugfests
Frigate	Moderate	Poor	12–20 cannons	30–40	Long‑range artillery duels
Galleon	Slow	Poor	20+ cannons	40–60	Flagship, fortress at sea
Man‑of‑War	Very slow	Poor	20–30 cannons	50–70	Massive battles, scenario play

📏 Key Stats Explained (What Actually Matters in Play)

Stat	Meaning	Why It Matters
Speed	Sail setting + wind + rigging	Determines ability to reposition and control engagement
Turn Value	Max inches you can turn	Controls ability to line up broadsides or avoid them
Artillery Capacity	Number/type of cannons	Defines your broadside strength and long‑range threat
Crew Requirements	Minimum effective crew	Determines how many units you need aboard
Role	Tactical identity	Helps you pick the right ship for your fleet

🎯 Tactical Comparison (Quick‑Pick Guide)

Fastest Ships

Bermuda Sloop
Sloop
Canoe (sweeps)

Best Turning

Sloop
Bermuda Sloop
Canoe

Strongest Broadsides

Frigate
Galleon
Man‑of‑War

Best Boarding Ships

Sloop
Brigantine
Shallop

Best Shallow‑Water Ships

Canoe
Pirogue
Longboat

Best All‑Rounder

Brigantine

🔥 Recommended Ships for Beginners

Brigantine — easiest full ship to learn
Sloop — best maneuver ship
Fluyt — simplest artillery platform

Tuesday, 7 July 2026

Bluebeard Scenario 4. The Hanging of Captain Moreau

Public execution and a rescue attempt.
Moreau claims he was Bluebeard—or knew him..

Nassau, Bahamas – 1715

Background

Captain Jacques Moreau was captured in game two. Justice works swiftly and he faces public execution in Nassau.

The Governor has declared that he will hang at noon as an example to every rogue in the Caribbean.

Rumours spread through Nassau:

"Moreau sailed with Bluebeard."

Others insist:

"He was Bluebeard."

Others whisper:

"Bluebeard never existed... it was several captains using the same name."

Only Moreau knows the truth.

The Forces

Government

Marines
Militia
Sheriff
Governor
Executioner

Their objective: Hang Moreau before he escapes.

Raiders

A mixture of:

Moreau's former crew lead by his girlfriend
Unknown masked pirates
Mercenaries hired by a mysterious patron

Their objective: Free Moreau—or silence him forever.

Special Rules

The Crowd

Every turn place D6 civilian markers.

Units cannot fire through civilians without risking panic.

If civilians are hit:

Crowd scatters
Visibility changes
Units may become separated

The Noose

Beginning Turn 4 the execution starts.

Each turn:

Priest finishes prayer.
Final confession.
Hood placed.
Rope tightened.
Trap opens.

If Moreau survives to Step Five...

...he dies.

Moreau's Port Royal card

Campaign Rewards

If Moreau survives:

Gain The Captain's Testimony clue.
Learn the location of the next scenario.

If he dies:

The Militia Officer finds a scrap of paper sewn inside his coat.

On it is written only:

"Dead Men Tell No Tales. The Bell Tolls at Devil's Reef."

That clue leads naturally into Scenario 5.

I particularly like making Moreau a genuinely charismatic rogue. As he's led to the gallows he laughs at the crowd and calls out:

"You've all come to watch the wrong pirate die!"

Government Forces

Lieutenant Blessington

Officer: Veteran Royal Marine

Excellent Leadership
Steady Under Fire
May reroll one failed Morale test for Marines each turn.

Commands

6 Royal Marines (muskets & bayonets)

Role: Hold the gallows and maintain discipline.

Lt Fairweather RN

Officer: Royal Navy Sailing Master

Reliable
Inspires Sailors
Skilled with pistol and cutlass

Accompanied by:

Surgeon Crane

Loyal
Tough fighter
Adds +1 in boarding or melee actions involving sailors.

Commands

4 Royal Navy Sailors

Role: Flexible reserve. They reinforce weak points, pursue escaping pirates, or escort Captain Moreau.

Militia Group A

8 Colonial Militia
Muskets
Green troops

Militia Group B

6 Colonial Militia
Muskets
Green troops

Role: Guard streets, escort civilians, and provide supporting fire.

Civilians

Treat the crowd as several groups of unarmed civilians.

Suggested special rules:

Civilians block line of sight.
Panic if fired upon.
When panicked, they move randomly each turn, potentially blocking movement or exposing hidden troops.

This makes the square feel alive and unpredictable.

Pirate Forces

Mad" Nell Rackham – The Widow of the Wind

Officer Type: Pirate Captain (Cunning)

Traits

Master of deception.

Once per game may redeploy one pirate group before it activates.

Nearby pirate units may ignore one failed Morale test.

Preferred Troops:

Sailors

Militia

Buccaneers

Weapon:

Brace of pistols

Fine cutlass

"Pirate Group 1

4 Pirates
Cutlasses & pistols

Role: Assault the gallows.

Pirate Group 2

4 Pirates
Cutlasses & pistols

Role: Support the main attack or rescue Captain Moreau.

Pirate Group 3

4 Pirates
Muskets

Role: Rooftop marksmen or covering fire.

Pirate Group 4

4 Pirates
Muskets

Role: Ambush from alleyways and suppress the Marines.

Victory Conditions

Government Victory

Captain Moreau is hanged or remains securely in custody when the game ends.

Pirate Victory

Captain Moreau escapes via one of the table edges.

Major Pirate Victory

Moreau escapes and Lieutenant Blessington is killed or captured.

Major Government Victory

Moreau is executed and Mad Nell Rackham is killed or captured.

A sunny day in Nassau. Bressington and the Marines march the prisoner from the Gaol.

The Militia parade under "Major" Elias Crawley. He appointed himself and gave himself that rank. He has 14 men in three groups.

The Sergeant at Arms leads Captain Moreau to the gallows. It's turn one so the prayers start.

Four pirate groups dice to come on table, 8" from the baseline

And the poor Militia gets 4 hits, 4 killed. It also fails it's resolved by 4 dice.
The buccaneers guns are mighty!

Mad Nell Leads a Charge into the Militia Major's group. She kills two.

And Eager Lt Bressington gets in on the action, charging the musket armed pirates to zero effect.

And like the idiot getting is he pushes a second attack, earning a Fatigue, but inflicting only a fatigue.

Seeing trouble brewing the Governor calls for his carriage.

The Buccaneers kill another two militia and break them.

The Marines batter at the cutlass armed pirates.

Mad Nell hammers at the Militia Officer. Some deadly fighting going on. The Militia break.

An event, it's a 7 a free action for Nell,

The Molitia rout and Nell races to the scaffold in a move.

The goven9r and the routed Militia "Major" leave in the coach.

The Navy shoot it out with another Buccaneer group.

Two strike points
The Major having fled I roll for Alfred Fairweathers resolve, and 8 is a fair pass.

According to schedul the rope was about to be tightened on turn four for our condemned man. Luckily Mad Nell rescues him.

Turn 5 Nell and her pirates rush 8" clear.

Its a win for pira y everywhere. I must admit that was a surprise to me.

Sunday, 5 July 2026

Bluebeard Scenario 3:The False Flag

Naval Skirmish: The False Flag

The Hook

Ambush at sea by pirates pretending to be Bluebeard’s men.
Loot or documents hint at the Isle de Gros Garçon as Bluebeard's base.

Admiralty Orders

Aboard HMS Resolute, Nassau Harbour

July 1715

To Lieutenant Alfred Fairweather, Royal Navy

Sir,

Your conduct during the recent operations against the pirate conspirators at Nassau has been brought to my favourable notice.

Whilst your methods continue to display an alarming disregard for established procedure, I am reluctantly compelled to admit that they have also produced results.

Accordingly, by authority vested in me as Senior Naval Officer upon this station, and pending confirmation by Their Lordships of the Admiralty, you are hereby appointed Master and Commander of His Majesty's Sloop Swift.

You will proceed immediately to independent command.

Your orders are as follows:

Intercept suspicious vessels operating under false colours.
Render every assistance to His Majesty's Governors in suppressing piracy.
Avoid unnecessary heroics.

I draw your attention particularly to the final instruction, which I have found you possess a remarkable talent for disregarding.

Mr. Crane is to remain attached to your command as Surgeon and Interpreter.

Lieutenant Edward Bressington will continue to command the embarked detachment of Royal Marines.

Sailing Master Hepzibah Mott has, for reasons known only to Providence, volunteered to accompany you...

Endeavour to remain alive long enough to inform me of events.

May God preserve you.

Captain Kenneth Hawke, RN

"The King's Hound"

HM Sloop Swift off the Nassau reef

Scenario Three

The False Flag

"Not every black flag belongs to the same pirate."

Time

Two days after the brawl at the Broken Compass.

Location

The reefs north-east of New Providence.

Fairweather has persuaded Captain Hawke to let him investigate one of the strange channels marked only on his own charts.

Accompanied by Surgeon Crane aboard the Royal Navy Sloop of War Swift, they set sail at dawn. Near midday... Smoke is sighted.

A brig is sighted flying the dreaded black flag. The same flag described by survivors of the Burning Sloop. Fairweather finally has his chance to confront Bluebeard.

Forces

Royal Navy

HM Sloop of War Swift

Captain:

Lt. Alfred Fairweather (Experienced)

Passengers

Surgeon Tobias Crane

Crew

Veteran Sailors
Royal Marines

Pirate Force

Brig Santa Muerte

Captain Esteban Calderón

Veteran Sailors

Spanish Marines

Several crew wear black scarves and false beards to imitate Bluebeard's notorious followers.

Background

Unknown to the Royal Navy...

Captain Calderón is no pirate. Not exactly.

He is a licensed Spanish privateer and his papers are genuine, his commission legal. His methods... Less so.

He has been paid to impersonate Bluebeard and draw British patrols away from the real pirate's movements.

Battlefield

A 4' x 4' sea table.

Includes:

Large reef
Two small rocky islets
A narrow navigable channel (known only to Fairweather)
Trade wind blowing steadily.

Deployment

The brig begins under false colours. At long range she flies a British merchant ensign. Only when within pistol shot...

The colours are hauled down. The Black Flag rises. Spanish marines cheer.

Special Rule

False Colours

Until the brig reveals herself:
Royal Navy ships may not fire.
After the reveal
Both crews immediately gain one free Command Point.

Victory Conditions

Royal Navy

Capture Calderón alive (+3)
Recover the chart tube (+3)
Prevent the brig escaping (+2)
Keep HMS Swift afloat (+2)

Calderón

Escape the table (+3)
Sink or cripple HMS Swift (+3)
Destroy the chart tube before capture (+2)
Leave the British convinced Bluebeard was responsible (+2)

2nd Lieutenant Leslie "Twitchy" Balls

"Ding Dong!"

Role: Royal Navy Officer
Officer Type: Naval Lieutenant (Untested)

Personality
Neat, soft-spoken and perpetually twitchy, Balls gives the impression of a man who would rather be anywhere else. He startles at cannon fire, apologises before giving orders and is forever straightening his neckcloth. Yet the moment cutlasses leave their scabbards, he becomes a fearless and remarkably gifted swordsman. His cry of "Ding Dong!" usually signals that someone is about to lose a duel.

Strengths

Superb swordsman and boarding leader.
Commands his sailors with quiet confidence.
Exceptionally brave in close combat.
Completely loyal to Lieutenant Fairweather and Captain Hawke.

Flaw
His nervous manner causes both enemies and allies to underestimate him. He has little patience for prolonged musket duels and is often eager to close with the enemy before the moment is tactically ideal.

Favourite Saying
"Ding Dong... I do believe that's the signal to board!"

Sailing Master Hepzibah "The Unsinkable" Mott

"The Unsinkable Mott"

Role: Sailing Master & Navigator
Officer Type: Naval Specialist (Experienced)

Personality
An old salt with a mischievous grin, an inexhaustible stock of sea stories and an uncanny instinct for wind and tide. Mott has served in His Majesty's Navy for over forty years, surviving storms, mutinies, battles, shipwrecks and more than one court martial. Nobody is entirely certain how he remains afloat—or in uniform. He is rarely seen without a clay pipe and a knowing chuckle.

Strengths

Master navigator in coastal waters.
Expert at handling ships through reefs, shoals and narrow channels.
Inspires confidence in sailors through long experience.
Unflappable under fire and during heavy weather.

Favourite Saying
"Ho, ho... I've run aground in better places than this!"

Three Midshipmen:

◊ Midshipmen

A low level officer. He also traditionally leads boarding parties, boars and is responsible for learning the duties of an officer.

Nationality/Faction: Navies

Unit Restrictions: Any with Sailors

Sailors. Only one Midshipman may

be added per Force.

Command Range: 3"

Command Points: 1 (Grapple, Charge, and Fight

Actions only)

Special Rules: Hard Chargers and pistol shot

shot

Midshipman Tibulus Hathershaw

"The Greenhorn"

Nationality/Faction: Royal Navy
Role: Midshipman

Personality
Fresh from the Naval Academy, Tibulus knows every regulation by heart but has yet to discover his sea legs. He turns a delicate shade of green whenever the Swift leaves harbour, much to the amusement of the crew.

Quote

"I assure you, sir... I'm only inspecting the lee rail."

Midshipman Benjamin "Blondie" Fredriksen
"The Silent Dane"

Nationality/Faction: Royal Navy
Role: Midshipman

Personality
Tall, fair-haired and unnervingly quiet, Fredriksen speaks only when absolutely necessary. He never seems hurried, frightened or excited, even under heavy fire. The sailors find him deeply unsettling.

Quote

"If we are to board, sir... now would seem appropriate."

Midshipman Elias Bulge

"Of the Shropshire Bulges"

Nationality/Faction: Royal Navy
Role: Midshipman

Personality
Rosy-cheeked, energetic and forever introducing himself as being "of the Shropshire Bulges," Bulge volunteers for absolutely everything. Whether the Bulges are genuinely distinguished or merely enthusiastic local gentry remains a matter of debate.

Quote

"Bulges never retreat! ...At least, I don't believe they do."

Swift clears the reef and closes on the enemy brig

A Big old brig with a pirate crew

Closing. Loads of musketry mostly inconclusive.

Closing in. Both sides have lost crew.

But the Navy muskets are particularly strong.

Boarding gate. Bressington leads his Marines onto the Brig.

The Pirate command is wiped out.

Strike Test. Bressington calls on the Brig crew to surrender in the King's name.

Ten pirate casualties 50% failed

Six off Swifts crew. Doctor Crane gets to work but it's a heavy butcher's bill.

The brig is a Prize. Plastic model defeats resin model.

Great game. Really enjoyed the mechanics of Blood and Plunder.

And Midshipman number 1 survived so I'll be using him in game 4. If he survives 3 games I'll promote him to Lieutenant!

The crew of HM Sloop Swift

Lieutenant Alfred Fairweather, Master and Commander of HM Sloop Swift.

Privateer and Cartographer

Role: Privateer Officer
Officer Type: Naval Lieutenant (Cunning)

Personality Sharp, sarcastic, utterly fearless at sea.

Strengths

Superior navigation
Ambushes and coastal raids

Flaw Loyal only to contracts, not causes.

Campaign Hook His charts include reefs and inlets that do not officially exist — including routes to Gros Garçon.

Reputation

I'm using a Northstar Miniatures earl 18th Century Naval Officer in a blue frock coat as Fairweathers character figure.

I created Fairweather as Untested, but may uprate him to experienced after a few games.

Surgeon Tobias Crane

Naval Surgeon & Interrogator

Role: Specialist / Support NPC
Officer Type: Non-combatant specialist

Personality Calm, unsettling, meticulous.

Strengths

Keeps officers alive
Extracts information “humanely” (he insists)

Flaw Rumours follow him — men fear his operating table.

Campaign Hook Crane has treated at least one of Bluebeard’s lieutenants in the past.

2nd Lieutenant Leslie "Twitchy" Balls

"Ding Dong!"

Role: Royal Navy Officer
Officer Type: Naval Lieutenant (Untested)

Superb swordsman and boarding leader.

Campaign Trait – Ding Dong!
Once per game, when leading a boarding action or charge, Balls may reroll one failed Fight die. If his unit wins the melee, all friendly Sailor units within 6" gain +1 Resolve until the end of the turn, inspired by his unexpected heroics..

Favourite Saying
"Ding Dong... I do believe that's the signal to board!"

Lieutenant Edward "Eager" Bressington

"The Ram of the Royal Marines"

Role: Royal Marine Officer
Officer Type: Marine Lieutenant Experienced

Personality
Booming, fearless, and gloriously impetuous. Bressington possesses boundless courage, unwavering loyalty to the Crown, and an unfortunate tendency to charge before receiving orders. His magnificent, thoroughly non-regulation sideburns are said to arrive several seconds before the rest of him.

Strengths

Inspires Marines through sheer bravery. Leads from the front.
BUT his enthusiasm frequently outruns his judgement.

Campaign Trait – Eager for Glory

Once per game, Bressington may immediately lead a Charge or Boarding Action without spending a Command Point. However, if the attack fails to drive back the enemy, his unit gains one Fatigue as their momentum falters.

Sailing Master Hepzibah Mott

"The Unsinkable Mott"

Role: Sailing Master & Navigator
Officer Type: Naval Specialist (Experienced)

Personality
An old salt with a mischievous grin, an inexhaustible stock of sea stories and an uncanny instinct for wind and tide. Mott has served in His Majesty's Navy for over forty years.

Favourite Saying
"Ho, ho... I've run aground in better places than this!"

The Midshipmen

MidshipmanTibulus Hathershaw

"The Greenhorn"

Nationality/Faction: Royal Navy
Role: Midshipman

Quote

"I assure you, sir... I'm only inspecting the lee rail."

Midshipman Benjamin "Blondie" Fredriksen

"The Silent Dane"

Nationality/Faction: Royal Navy
Role: Midshipman

Quote

"If we are to board, sir... now would seem appropriate."

Midshipman Elias Bulge

"Of the Shropshire Bulges"

Nationality/Faction: Royal Navy
Role: Midshipman

Personality
Rosy-cheeked, energetic and forever introducing himself as being "of the Shropshire Bulges," Elias volunteers for absolutely everything

Quote

"Bulges never retreat! ...At least, I don't believe they do."

The Crew

I use Northstar Miniatures 18th Cenntury sailors, just for the look. My Royal Navy sailors all wear yellow bananas, or have a piece of yellow clothing, just to differentiate them from pirates at a glance.

I have divided them into a musket group, a cutlass group and gun crew.

Ill have to get the masts set up on Swift

Fairweather and Surgeon Crane

And my latest recruits