Intro
We’re on the home stretch! The 2024 Summer of Plunder has been a great time so far! One more week to decide who gets the bragging rights for the rest of the year. Check out the Week 8 Map & Objective Update for all the details on the War in the New World this week. The race is incredibly tight.
This update will be a bit different this week. First, we will run over the various prize categories just to review before the end of the campaign. Then we will take a tour through the worldwide Blood & Plunder and Oak & Iron communities with some pictures of people! The communities that have grown up around these two games are incredible and while the games are great, it’s the people that really make the community special and the time around these games awesome. You guys (and gals) are great!
Campaign Announcement
In the case of a tie…
As the final week of the campaign approaches the winner of the campaign is very hotly contested. It’s been a tight campaign! With scores so close we want to be prepared in the event of a TIE. We as campaign organizers have discussed a method to determine the overall winner in the event of a tie BEFORE it happens.
The winner will be decided based on the nation’s weekly performance and rankings over all 9 weeks. Maintaining a lead is challenging, keeping it is harder. So we’ve decided that the nation able to consistently maintain high rankings will be crowned the victory. In weeks where nations tie they will share the current placement. Nations will earn points based on their ranking on a week-to-week basis with the overall lowest score (e.g. best ranking) will be the winner. So by example, 1st place in week 1 earns you 1 point; in week 2 a 3rd place rank earns 3 points.
You can aim to avoid that tie (or make it a tie…) by playing in THE END IS NIGH! (Escort Scenario), our last special campaign event!
Summer of Plunder Prizes yet to be Awarded
We’ve sent out a lot of packages of plunder, but there’s still a lot to give away! Here’s a quick review of the prize categories, just in case you haven’t check in a while. You can see the entire prize and sponsor list here.
Grand Prize
This prize goes out to a random player of the Nation who manages to win this thing. Could be anyone right now! The prize will be a sleek and dangerous 6th Rate Frigate for Blood & Plunder! This prize is donated by Firelock Games and we thank them both for their substantial prize support and their continued support for these awesome games!
Three cheers for Firelock Games!
Master Teacher
Donated by Feldherr, we have a nice miniatures case that holds up to 200 minis to award to the player who has taught the most new players over the course of this campaign.
Thanks to Feldherr for sponsoring both this campaign and the Great Pirate Paint Off earlier this year!
FLGS Supporter
We have a chunky Blood & Plunder Fluyt to give away to a player who has logged games at their FLGS this year. Playing at your local gaming store helps stores know there’s a demand, lets passing people see the game, and helps grow the player base! And having a big, impressive ship on the board is a huge draw. The fluyt may be slow, but she catches eyes!
Best Battle Report
This is going to be super hard to award since there have been literally hundreds of delightful battle reports dropped here and there and everywhere during this campaign. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences in both pictures and story form.
The winner here will receive a copy of The Golden Age of Piracy by Benerson Little (signed, hopefully).
Most Notorious Scoundrel
Whoever amasses the most player points through the campaign will be officially commissioned with a reproduction Letter of Marque, straight from Captain Marrow. Adam Marrow is a huge pirate enthusiast and makes incredible reproduction documents. If you win this, we’ll need to get info from you for the document: pirate name, ship name, ship rig, number of guns etc.
Take the Pardon
Drawn from players who have logged games for the most nations, we’re sending out a Letter of Pardon for this hardened mercenary. You are forgiven. Just don’t do it again. also from Captain Marrow.
Know Your Nation
We’re sending a deluxe (fake) leather rulebook out to a player who has played at least 7 factions within their “Nation.” There are a lot of Factions in Blood & Plunder and it’s awesome to explore them all and get a good feel for how your nation functions in the game.
New Player Prizes
We love to support new players in the community by sending out some sizable packages of reinforcements to a few players new to the game(s). This year we’ve sent out a $120 package and a $150 package and we still have a $180 prize set to give away in the last week. We’ll be drawing a random “new player” from those who have participated in the final 3 weeks of the campaign. A “new players” is defined by having started playing Blood & Plunder (or Oak & Iron) in 2024. There’s a lot of you and we’re thrilled to have you on board!
FLGS Tournament Photo
If you’ve run a tournament at your FLGS during the campaign, we want to know! Those are great events for raising the local awareness of your game and getting people involved and increasing the general skill of your local players. Whoever sends in the best photo of a tournament crew at a game store will receive a nice box of deluxe player accessories and minis to share with their local group.
“Improvised Terrain”
Dexter from the Plunder Den has donated one of his beautiful terrain pieces to go to someone whose terrain game might be “in the early stages.” If we see from your photos that you might benefit from a nice piece of terrain, you might be the winner!
Thanks to Dexter for sponsoring the campaign again this year!
Epic Fleet Battle
If you post pics of an epic multiplayer fleet battle, you’ll be entered into a pool to receive a copy of The Sloop of War by Ian McLoughlin. This is one of the best books out there on 17th/early 18th century ships, complete with history, period paintings, and illustrations that can be super helpful in painting and rigging your Blood & Plunder Ship. This is a beautiful (and hefty) coffee table-style book!
Native Bonus!
Natives have historically had the fewest players by a large margin in this case, so we resorted to bribery, plain and simple. This prize of a set of goodies specifically useful for Native players will go out to a random person playing for the Native Americans this year. The prize will include a canoa, some minis, some fortune tokens, and activation tokens (at least).
“Rough Seas”
Donated by Matthew Doerr, we will be awarding a sea game mat to a player whose oceans look suspiciously wooden or carpentry.
Thanks, Matthew for sponsoring the campaign (and leading the Dutch this year)!
Organize the Organized Play
Seamons’ Quality Sails donated another set of awesome cloth sails as a prize for someone who played all three scenarios from the 2024 Organized Play Kit this year. Thanks to Mary Seamons for supporting both this campaign and the Great Pirate Paint Off again this year!
Little Ships – Big Prizes
We have two prizes for Oak & Iron players specifically. Drawn at random from players logging Oak & Iron games, we have a coastal game mat from TABLEWAR and an Oak & Iron expansion (of the winner’s choice) from Timber & Sail.
Thanks to Timber & Sail (Jason) and TABLEWAR for sponsoring the Summer of Plunder and the Great Pirate Paint Off again this year!
Go play a couple more games! Get your hat in the ring to win some more plunder! Big thanks to all the companies, organizations and individuals who contributed to our massive prize pool this year. We’re sending out more than $3,000 in plunder to you all this year!
World Community Photos
Now let’s take a tour through the worldwide community and jump into some Summer (or Winter) of Plunder games with gamers all over the globe. (We will not credit these photos as we usually do since they are more personal. Used with permission.)
Gamers At Game Stores
It appeared there was a dramatic uptick in games played at game stores this year.
Games with the Youngsters!
It’s always fun to pull the kids into the gaming, be they young or older!
Games with the Youngest Youngsters!
Games with the Spouse/Significant Other
Our apologies if some of these are not entirely accurate. Just going off context clues!
Games with More Seasoned Players
Games with Funny Hats
Sometimes a funny hat can make all the difference.
Games with a Critter
Sometimes you just need a little help.
Games with your Best Buddy
Might be a little betrayal going on there. Watch the pistol…
Games with a Club
It’s great to have a regular group to play with!
Games with the Enthusiast!
Sometimes there’s some special energy!
Games at a Convention
Gaming conventions like Historicon, Adepticon, Nova Open, and GenCon are great places to meet up with old friends and make new friends around a common interest.
Games Enhanced by a Special Treat
Games Outside!
Real Great People!
You all are awesome!
Weekly Campaign Prizes!
OK, it’s time to start handing out plunder! This is one of the best parts of the community event and what helps make the event so great. Don’t forget to check out the full list of prizes for the Summer of Plunder campaign.
Best Photo of the Week – Paul Chouinard -Activated Tokens
This week’s prize for Photo of the Week goes to Paul Chouinard. This picture both incorporates the objective of the week, some story, and some beautiful minis. Paul’s photos have been great through the entire campaign (in previous years as well) and this is a well-deserved win.
Paul will receive a set of activation tokens of his choice from our Pigment Shop.
Random Player who Accomplished the Weekly Objective – Fortune Token
Each week a random player who accomplishes the weekly objective will be selected at random among qualifying entries. The winner will receive a fancy metal Fortune Coin. And the random winner here is Troy Hutson.
Troy will be receiving a deluxe Fortune Coin in the form of an 8 reale coin. These historically accurate reproductions are made by the St. Augustine Mint in Eugene, OR.
Random Entry for Week 8 – 4pk of Minis
Our random draw from the entire week’s worth of entries will receive some free minis! Either a pack of 4 Blood & Plunder minis of the nationality they are playing, or an Oak & Iron Ship.
This week’s random winner goes to Barnacle! Playing for the Dutch this year, Barnacle (surname unknown) has logged 12 games and is the #2 Dutch player this year (and #18 overall) in terms of points.
Random Prize of the Week 8 – Plunder Storage Box
In addition to our recurring prizes each week, we have a unique prize for each week. This week we’re giving away a Plunder Storage Box from Things from the Basement. This box is designed to hold ship cards, fortune coins, unit cards, and accessories for your Blood & Plunder games.
David Manley was drawn as the winner of the prize this week!
Pictures from our Prize Winner
Commander Reports
Now, here are some important messages from your beloved commanders. Each week our 6 volunteers will donate a bit of time to add some narrative flavor to the game and pass on some information regarding their nation’s goals. If you haven’t yet joined, the best way to interact with the commanders and players in your nation is to join our Summer of Plunder Discord server. This is different than the main Firelock Games Discord server. It’s a fun community to hang out with and there is a lot of plotting and planning going on in secret channels that only players of a nation can see.
Spain – Week 8 Commander Update
¡Saludos desde la Habana!
This was an extremely disheartening week. Attacked hard once again and given none of the requested cooperation by our “allies.” We will continue to fight though, and continue to have an impact on the game.
I have sponsored a transfer of some Peninsulares to the New World to aid in finishing out the final week. In this final week, I leave you with the last Spanish challenge. Play a game using a Spanish professional unit(Soldados, Soldados Reformados, Granaderos, Viscainos), a Galleon/Ship of the Line O&I ship, or a Hidalgo character in your list. A random player who fulfills the challenge will receive a blister of Corsarios. The top players with the most games fulfilling the challenge will receive a blunder monkey model.
I also have another trivia question. If you answer this question correctly and did not receive a prize package last time, I will send you commander cards and ammo objective tokens. In addition, if you answer this week’s question you will be put in a drawing for a blister of resin Milicianos! Trivia Question: What was the original Spanish name of Jamaica?
I sail this week with the treasure fleet back to Spain. It has been a pleasure leading our efforts this year. You soldados have given me everything that I have asked for, and more. For that, and your unwavering faith I thank you.
England – Week 8 Commander Update
Hail and Greetings from the front, from the tent of Leftenant Goebel,
As Admiral Jayden pushes forward on the cusp of victory, I am quickly writing to you that, should the worst happen, that it has been a pleasure to serve with all of you. Your Admiral and Leftenent are proud of the Englishmen and Women who have grown and made a name for themselves throughout our West Indies Campaign. I would like it to be known that the following individuals will be written in the annals concerning our great battle in the King’s Name. For King and Country, For Glory, and For Infamy:
- Commodore Marc Russell
- Commodore Ryan Peterson
- Captain Adam Bortner
- Captain James Clifton Monson
- Captain Marc Hardenack
- Captain Gareth Ian Loosmore worthy
- Captain Connor Fix
- Commander Jason Klotz
- Commander Jim Davey
- Commander Christian Busch
- Commander Derek Serrano
- Commander Daniel Reynolds
- Commander Riley Faulk
- Lieutenant Dutch Adams
- Lieutenant Sam Learner
- Lieutenant Larry mciver
- Lieutenant Dave Jessup
And the many Masters who have served the crown faithfully.
Push Forward unto Greatness, for we are the Greatest Nation of the Old World and the New.
France – Week 8 Commander Update
Me fellow countrymen we are standing on a razor’s edge between victory and defeat. We must be diligent and strategize in the discord. Some of our forces divided our strength in a way that set us back this week despite our many victories.
Raise a toast tonight in honor of our many victories this week. And after our toast it is back to the war effort. We must finish strong.
Continue to hit objectives. Play games with new players and in your local game shops. Participate in the discord and strategize with your fellow Frenchmen.
Victory is in our sights!
The Netherlands – Week 8 Commander Update
Landgenoten,
I come with distressing news.
Our forces have been routed on several fronts by a combined French and Pirate assault.
While we are down, we are not out. We still have the resources and the determination to turn this around, so we must stay true to the mission!
It has been a long and chaotic campaign, but I have been proud to serve alongside you all!
One last week….. one last mission…. Together we go into the breach!
Matthew “salty” Doerr
Commander of the Nederlands West Indies
The Native Americans – Week 8 Commander Update
The end is near, and we are in the thick of it. We have been battling to keep our way of life. We claimed Natchez and repelled English in Boston and New York.
This is the final week brothers and sisters, and we need to stay united to come on top. We can still take it all.
Tomorrow is the greatest battle of our lives. Whatever the outcome, we have been working together on this. Remember that while you bury your tomahawks in the enemy’s flash! Remember this when you let your arrows rain. And Finally, remember this when you grapple your canoes to the enemy ships and charge them without mercy.
Tomorrow ought to be ours.
Photo by Chris Asche
Native American National Prize Draw
This week’s lucky winner is Gavin Klotz, who will receive a blister of Braves. All prizes will be sent at the end of the campaign.
The Pirates – Week 8 Commander Update
A word from the Boyar:
Avast, as I’m out “Reconnoitering”… oops a fancy word… I’m surveying the land and strategizing a weak point in defenses. I have a few options to get us on top of the game for our final push of the campaign. I would also like to say I appreciate all your hard work in gaming, taking pictures, and logging them into the system. Without your participation, our options would have been very limited. So I say, await for orders in the Pirate Discord channel and insights on our game plan.
News from Historicon
Captains, I’m back from an amazing adventure called Historicon 2024. Tons of games and even Blood & Plunder were represented there with a major land tournament and several ship games. I managed to get into one and acted as a teacher of the game for new players. This past week places us in the hunt behind the English in overall points.
Speaking of points, our top five point leaders (Jakub Karaś, konrad łabędzki, 963yug_taht, peter Johnson and myself) are leading the way in games being played…that’s a great job representing the “Black”!
Keep those lines of communication open and flowing as our Captain Dan aka Boyar of the Brethren, post updates and additional information in the Discord Pirate chat channel.
This past week called for playing a scenario in which your game must include at least one cannon if playing on land and six if a sea engagement. Well that shouldn’t be too hard! What a Pirate game without cannons. I like lots of cannons, and even more so light ones. Easy to man and move…if needed. The bigger are nice to give a nice punch on a ship…especially if you get the right shot like a rake. Have you had an opportunity to give someone a “rake”? Either in Blood in Plunder or in Oak in Iron? In our games, it typically shows its face when we have new players and they get a lucky shot off.
Don’t Forget about the Bonus Prize!
Another nice surprise Objective was put out midweek called “The End is Nigh”. You must have played the “Escort” mission from the “No Peace Beyond the Line” expansion book. This is another favorite of mine and a nice intro scenario for new players. The objective is clearly defined as well a good narrative to go with it. Who did you use in your game for the “Escort”? I still haven’t played this one in Oak & Iron, but I can imagine a whole fleet action to chase someone down. I now the scenario calls for a “Dignitary”, but other characters can be used; sailing master, Governors daughter, the Banker (with bank notes from the crown), etc. The first time I saw this scenario played out is when the Mike and Rufus went to “On Table Top” five years back played the Amphibious version.
As we sail into the last week of the campaign, the weekly objective was left to the devices of us. your commanders. With that being said, let’s add the next level of fun, “Dress for Success”. Whaaaat…yes, you can break out that Pirate gear you have hanging on the wall. Dawn that tricorn, sword, and pistols and take a picture of you and your crew…playing a game. Regular game pictures are fine too. Okay, so you don’t have any Pirate gear, I’m adding in an extra layer…Pirate Flags! So get a flag in your picture this week as well. If you don’t have one…make one…too easy friends. Looking forward to what cool and crazy pictures you submit this week.
Finally, get your games in, raise the Black, and most of all… have fun!
More Pictures! So Many Pictures!
We got to sneak a few more pictures from the week in here!
Final Thoughts on Summer of Plunder Week 8
Well, we’re on the home stretch! This is the last week of the Summer of Plunder. I hope you get some great games in this week with some great people! The competition is tight for that top spot in the national rankings. I know the commanders are stressing a little trying to make the best decisions! You have one more week to help fulfill the destiny of your nation and take control of the New World and all the plunder therein!
Remember the “End is Nigh!” Escort scenario bonus event may net you one extra point!
Article by Joseph Forster