The Summer of Plunder is almost over. (Wipe your tears you sea dog!) In these final two weeks, we wanted to offer one final Bonus Prize Event. Participating in “THE END IS NIGH” event is your last chance to win a leather dice tray from DeadMansChest.org. Entry into this event can be done at the same time as your games played for the normal week’s objectives.

Narrative Background

Week 2 featured the theme of “A Storm’s A Brewin’” where players were challenged to compete in inclement weather. The storms led to a follow-up game with a Beached Ship / Shipwreck scenario. A few weeks later we introduced a narrative storyline of a dangerous criminal escaping during the shipwreck. The manhunt led to a scenario to capture the fugitive with a special “A WANTED MAN” scenario. Now we have come to the final chapter of the narrative…

Captain Maxwell Wyndham, once a feared pirate of the Caribbean, now sits chained in a cell. The dim lantern light casts eerie shadows on the damp walls, highlighting his weathered face and the defiant glint in his eyes. His hands, bound by iron shackles, bear the scars of pain, both inflicted and suffered.

The journey to Fort Charles, Jamaica, had been long and fraught with tension. Having managed to escape once, his captors cast an ever watchful eye to the horizon searching for any attempt at rescue or escape. The tension is palpable among the guards who know the reputation of their captive. Stories of Wyndham’s cunning and ferocity are legendary—tales of ferocious raids, entire villages razed, dozens of ships seized, their crews tortured and the vessels burned to the waterline.

As the first light of dawn begins to creep into view, Wyndham leans back against the cold wall, a wry smile playing on his lips. He has lived by the sword, and the time has come for him consequences. He has lived by the sword, and now he will face the consequences. Yet, hope burns brightly within him. He knows his loyal crew, fierce and determined, would stop at nothing to free him. Captain Maxwell Wyndham will never surrender, not while there is still a chance for escape.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

This week, we’re upping the ante with some bonus “plunder” alongside our already fantastic loot! In addition to the weekly objectives, you now have the chance to dive into a special scenario during your games to snag an exciting bonus prize. You can play a game that fulfills the normal weekly objectives AND this scenario and count your game for both prizes!

How to Participate in “THE END IS NIGH” Event

This event allows ALL players regardless of their nation! You can play this scenario at the same time your standard weekly objectives from Week 8 or Week 9,

Requirements to participate:

• Blood & Plunder – Play the “ESCORT” scenario from the No Peace Beyond the Line expansion book (pg 213 Land, 214 Amphibious, and 215 Sea) PDF version provided below with permission from Firelock Games.
• Oak & Iron – play the Escort Scenario available in the Core Rules of the Oak & Iron
  OR play the “Delivery” Scenario from TimberAndSail.com
• When submitting your game submissions between now and the end of the Summer of Plunder campaign on Sunday 7/19/24 @ midnight Eastern time (GMT-5) check the box for “Did you play the “END IS NIGH Bonus Prize Event”?”

How the Prize Winner Will be Selected

One winner will be at random from all entries that complete the objective.  Each submission you turn in counts as a single opportunity to win (e.g. play 3 times for 3 raffle tickets to win).

THE PRIZE

The winner of, “THE END IS NIGH” event will receive a custom Leather Dice Tray donated by Tyler Stone at DeadMansChest.org.

Leather Dice Tray

A collapsible leather dice tray to add some cool factor to your game table and keep those pesky dice from escaping on the floor or knocking over minis!

Bonus Reward for the Winning Nation!

In addition to the leather dice tray, the Nation on the prize winner’s entry will also get 1 Victory Point for the campaign level map. As tight as the national race is, the winner of this event could tip the balance in favor of the winner.

Blood & Plunder “ESCORT” Scenario

The “ESCORT” scenario is featured in the No Peace Beyond the Line expansion book (pg 213 Land, 214 Amphibious, and 215 Sea) and is also available for free below (with permission from Firelock Games).

In this scenario, the Defender is attempting to escort the captured Captain Maxwell Wyndham to his trial. The Attacker represents Wyndham’s loyal crew attempting to break him free.

ESCORT – Scenario PDF

Alternate Terrain & Ending

If you are playing a Land or amphibious version of the Escort Scenario, a fun spin might be to place some gallows at the final destination. As long as the distance is the same as reaching the edge of the board, requiring the Defender to reach the gallows makes for some extra visual appeal to the scenario.

Great Terrain and Photos by Ilya Semionov

Here is some great terrain of a city and gallows that would make a fun setting for the game. Thanks to Ilya Semionov for sharing these as part of a 2023 Summer of Plunder entry.

Oak & Iron – “Escort” and “Delivery” Scenarios

If you are an Oak & Iron player, you can enter this event by playing the Escort Scenario available in the Core Rules of the Oak & Iron OR play the “Delivery” Scenario from TimberAndSail.com.

Oak & Iron Escort Scenario

Escort is a straightforward scenario from the starter boxed set. The Attacker represents the captain’s crew attempting to rescue their captain. The Defender is attempting to play keep away and avoid capture from the attacker.

Oak & Iron Delivery Scenario

Delivery is a custom scenario designed by TimberAndSail.com designed to incorporate the little used Landing Party feature of the game. For this event, the Attacker is attempting to deliver a Landing Party with the captured Captain Wyndham to the target zone. The Defender represents the loyal crew attempting to recover their beloved captain.

Conclusion

The Summer of Plunder campaign is becoming more thrilling as the race for first place tightens. This event with its bonus victory point potentially makes this event super valuable since it can impact the final outcome of the entire campaign! Thanks again to Dead Man’s Chest for donating the prize and to all of our other sponsors who have helped support the campaign.

We hope you enjoy the games this week. No matter what side you’re on, I hope your mission is successful.

Happy gaming!

article by Jason Klotz