Intro
The campaign is reaching it’s peak! The competition is getting tight on the campaign map, Historicon happened this past with (including an epic multiplayer game and a land tournament), we’ve past 1,500 games logged for this campaign so far, and the community has logged games for every single Blood & Plunder, Oak and Iron and Port Royal faction!
For details on the leading teams on the campaign map, and some other fun announcements, check the Week 7 Map update post. In this update, we will check in with the leaders of each national team, award some prizes, and
Commander Reports
Now, here are some important messages from your brave commanders. Each week our 7 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 7 Commander Update
To the Esteemed Council of the Spanish Armadas,
By the grace of His Catholic Majesty and under the blessed banners of Castile, I commend the valor and cunning of Capitán Don Connor of the Oeste armada, whose most daring action has struck terror into the hearts of the insubordinate and ungrateful natives of Vera Cruz.
The seizure of the Black Palm Standard, an idol of immense cultural and spiritual importance to their fractured tribes, marks a triumph not merely of arms, but of psychological supremacy. It is no small feat to break the will of a people so long emboldened by foreign whispers and pagan recklessness. Let it be entered into the naval registry and commendation rolls: the Captain’s name shall echo as boldly as the cannon that bore down upon their sanctums.
Yet, our struggle remains as grinding as the sea upon the shore. The war with the native tribes extends endlessly, a tide that neither ebbs nor forgives. Spanish territory, once proudly adorned with the crimson of royal standards, now languishes under hostile control—most grievously, Onondaga and Costa de Mosquitos, where the sun once rose upon thriving missions and trading posts.
And as if emboldened by unseen winds, the English dogs did attempt to breach La Habana. Their sails darkened the horizon with intent most foul, yet the city stood unconquered. By cannon and steel, they were repelled. It is no idle speculation among the ranks: there lies a guiding European hand behind the natives’ newfound ferocity. Their formations, their stratagems—foreign fingerprints stain them. It is likely that the early breath of Albion or Holland set aflame this native warpath.
Let this letter carry not only commendation, but the grave reminder that our imperial mission demands resolve in both spirit and blade. We fight not only for gold and dominion, but for the enduring mark of Spain upon this continent.
May God and the Crown find favor with Captain Don Connor and all who bear the burden of empire
Josué Shivak
Commander of Spanish forces
More pictures from Spanish Players During Week 7
England – Week 7 Commander Update
The sky cracked open with thunder—not from the heavens, but from cannon and musket fire. Charred smoke rolled across the muddy earth as the red line of British infantry surged forward beneath the roar of drums. Sergeant Redgrave kept his head low, musket fixed with bayonet, the steel glinting like a fang in the gloom. He ran with the front wave, boots churning the wet grass, his uniform already splattered with dirt and powder.
Beside him, darting through the confusion like a blade through silk, was Willem—the Dutchman. He was shorter, leaner, and fast as a startled cat. His weathered coat flared with each movement, patched in places with stolen cloth. He carried no musket, no pike—only a leather bandolier bristling with throwing knives, each honed to a cruel point. And yet, in all the chaos of this assault on the French fort, Redgrave trusted him more than any man in uniform.
The two had fought together before—ambushes in the Caribbean, skirmishes on West African coasts—but never like this. Never in a full-on raid, a grand storming of enemy walls where hundreds would fall.
The fort loomed ahead, a squat shape of stone and iron. Frenchmen shouted from the parapets, their white coats flashing between the ramparts. Redgrave raised his musket, aimed, fired—one shot—and charged before the smoke could clear. The socket bayonet gleamed, fixed and deadly, made not for decoration but for breaking the enemy line.
A scream to his right—Willem was already ahead, weaving through the broken ground. A knife flashed from his hand, sailed clean over Redgrave’s shoulder, and found its mark in a French grenadier’s neck. The man dropped without a sound.
“Bloody hell,” Redgrave muttered, not slowing.
The outer palisade broke under the surge. Redgrave vaulted the shattered gate, musket forward, stabbing into the chest of the first soldier he met. The man crumpled. Another rushed in, sabre raised, but Redgrave parried with the barrel, countered, drove his bayonet into the man’s gut. He barely registered the splash of warmth on his sleeve.
Willem was already atop a barrel, flinging blade after blade at the defenders on the stairs. A shout—something in Dutch—he turned, pointed. Redgrave saw a French officer rallying men near a powder store. Too many.
“Right,” Redgrave grunted, and sprinted after him.
Together they moved like parts of one machine—Willem distracting with quick, whistling knives, Redgrave closing in with brute force. They didn’t speak. They didn’t need to. The Dutchman barked a sharp sound—Redgrave ducked instinctively, a blade whizzing past his temple to catch a Frenchman mid-charge.
Finally, at the powder store, Redgrave let out a guttural cry and slammed his bayonet through the officer’s ribcage. The Frenchman convulsed and dropped. Others fled.
The fort’s inner yard was nearly taken. Cheers rang out behind them as the redcoats flooded in. Redgrave leaned against a wall, gasping. Willem, panting, held out a small metal flask with a grin.
“Water?” Redgrave asked.
Willem only winked.
They drank in silence, backs to the wall as the Union Jack was hoisted over Fort Du Sanglier.
Neither said a word. But in the blood and smoke, a bond deeper than language was sealed.
—–
It’s the final weeks for the campaign – push forward Englishmen! We shall continue to climb from the bottom and bring glory to Britain once more!
More pictures from English Players During Week 7
France – Week 7 Commander Update
My Loyal Partisans,
Like all good Catholics, I stand here a repentant man. A man, at times, too proud of our works in this war for the Americas. My own cunning deeds, and your willingness to join me in those deeds, brought great riches… but as the good book (and this week’s events) remind us, riches are fleeting. Our enemies have done unto us as we have done to them, and I am truly sorry for how my misguided actions have wrought havoc on our colonies.
Yet our Divine King Louis XIV shines upon us, and requires us to push forth! While we have been humbled, we are sons and daughters of a cause greater than our own lives. Victory is not without its setbacks. Let us use last week’s setback as an opportunity to surpass our previous heights. Let our enemies use last week’s victory as an opportunity to gloat and move on to bigger fish. Dutch, English – it pains me to say this, but we acknowledge your swords and cannons, and your heelish raids on our elegant wares. Also, England, like any connoisseur of music, we acknowledge the death of a true war pig. May Captain Osbourne rest in peace.
The English Press reached out to me to discuss these wars we partake in every summer. Let us hope these talks begin to melt our disposition towards one another.
I ask that you continue to show loyalty to the Sun King – any French player who hoists French colors in this week’s entry photos will be entered in our prize drawing! Quebec still has riches left to give our loyal bunch. It is important in these dark times to remember that not all is lost, and that heroic deeds are being performed under our banner across the New World. To motivate (and remind you to submit battle reports for a week 9 terrain prize drawing) I bring word from Full Lieutenant de Vaisseau Macquer, who valiantly met Dutch adversaries on the open seas and claimed a small yet important victory. His victory is a reminder of the glory that awaits us in the next two weeks.
Mon gouverneur,
I report victory, at no great cost. We met the Dutch near their island of Saba, where we had heard tell of a slave revolt. The Dutch settlers had fled the island, and were intending to sail south to Saint Eustatius. The wind was unseasonably blowing from the west, and our squadron was approaching from the south. The Dutch squadron was clearly aiming to come past us, and a fog was rolling in which we feared might hinder our guns and aid their escape.
As our ships neared, their flagship and a brigantine moved to provide cover for the corvette carrying the settlers. We fired with our chasers and small arms, and they did similar, to no great effect. I directed La Panthère to go to lee and through the fog bank, to cut off their corvette should it make a run for it.
I have never seen such a close and bloody action. The Dutch fight like furies in close quarters, almost equal to our own marines. I fear that had Lt. Lebeau of La Railleuse not seen the circumstances and, under his own initiative, fired a broadside into the Dutchman, we may have lost the ship. But in the end, both crews fell back, bloodied and shaken, and the Dutchman, seeing one ship lost, his flagship’s crew on the verge of surrender, and his settler charges pursued from every angle, wisely struck his colours.
The prisoners—both Dutch sailors and the settlers—are to follow this letter.
Votre serviteur,
Full Lieutenant de Vaisseau René Macquer
Promotion update from l’intendant, Henri Le Roux
For exemplary service in their battles against the enemies of le Roi, it is my great privilege to announce the promotions of Liutenant de Vaisseau Dred et Liutenant de Vaisseau Nault to the rank of Capitaine de Frégate. They have each now been given their own commands and orders to cruise and conduct commerce raiding in the name of le Roi.
Félicitations, mes amis. Continue your good works, you have become house hold names throughout France for your daring deeds and and exemplary service. Vous faites honneur à ta famille et à la France.
Other brave servants of le Roi to be promoted are John Pollock and Jacky (no last name). For your loyalty and conduct you are entitled to the rank of lieutenant (militia or regular army), lieutenant de vaisseau (navy), or commodant corsaire (privateer). Nouvelle France thanks you for your service.
More pictures from French Players During Week 7
The Netherlands – Week 7 Commander Update
Oh…. How sweet it is to see the fracturing French Empire of the North!
They foolishly thought they could pick a fight with us and walk away without a scratch! How naive! Well… they now understand. We didn’t suffer through 100 years of Spanish tyranny just to roll over for the French. We now control their precious furs… and better yet, New Amsterdam is once again free!
While we may be down, we are certainly not out and its wise to any would be aspiring nations to take heed of our power! While you all have abandoned us… profited from our demise… we have held the line and pushed back, along with our english friends, the french juggernaut. And for this you are WELCOME!
We may not have the strength of Empire ourselves, but we are the death of Empires that oppose us!
Perhaps now, the other powers will finally rise up to fight their own battles!
To those seeking to help themselves to our territories, take note… as YOU COULD BE NEXT!
Let us not lose sight of our goals… and that is to see the french Empire in flames, its armies scattered and crushed, and its royal family swinging from the parapet! And this will remain true for any others seeking to profit from Dutch misfortune.
You have been warned! The kingmaker has been announced and his name it the Anglo-Dutch alliance!
So play your games… think you are calling the shots… just know that your good fortune is because we allow it! Nothing more!
Troops stand ready for orders. I forsee many more burning towns before we are finished.
- Matthew “salty” Doerr
Commander Of the Dutch West Indies
More pictures from Dutch Players During Week 7
The Native Americans – Week 7 Commander Update
Great Tribes of Turtle island, this week we showed that we are united. The great spirit is smiling down on the deeds done this week in defense of our traditional lands.
The great spirit also casts a smile upon Captain Rum Runner for recognizing our ancestorial claim in St. Thomas, may you be rewarded for this acknowledgment and find peace with nature.
The fog of war did us no favours this week and the vile Spanish continued with their underhanded ways, but we rebounded well. Continue the good fight Braves, it is only through our united front can we push the invaders back across the great waters.
Good job this week, we had a small misfire on a raid, but we have done well and shown that we only get stronger with adversity.
The war continues – stay strong.
Now the best part – Plunder! This week we have a medium terrain bundle donated by Stone Temple Studios. This bundle includes some beautiful scatter terrain to help keep your braves in cover. This weeks winner is Peter Johnson. Thank you for having your brave Maroons fight for turtle island.
As with all of the Sponsors of this great event, please check out their various websites and support them if you are able. Without them it is just the Summer and what fun would that be.
More pictures from Native Players During Week 7
The Pirates – Week 7 Commander Update
Shiver me timbers! Our faction is rockin’ the Caribbean; keeping the Frogs and Limeys at bay. The game update has us playing 238 games to date. A slow pace, but a steady chug moving forward. Speaking of moving forward, our point leaders are still holding strong for another week; Christopher Regan holding the lead since the beginning, Greg Flynn hot on Christopher’s heels and Tyler Carlson.
Looks like Jamaican Pirates for Port Royal is still holding strong as the Top Faction played! I can see why, as my first game was with them…with Black Beard leading the charge. I was tempted to play them again, but wanted to experience all the other factions. Holding a strong second favorite faction is the Oak & Iron Pirates. Again, each time I played Pirates in this system, it has to be Black Beard with the Queen Anne’s Revenge and the Sloop Revenge…very deadly for sure. And, if you throw in another sloop or two to his fleet…just about unstoppable. Brethren of the Coast has a lot of classic options for the core units as well as support units.
Did you secure your “Coastal Conflict” this week. This week’s objective brings out the best in Blood & Plunder with amphibious games. I’ve played a few dozen “Pirate” games since the ‘90s, and the transition for amphibious gaming with B&P is phenomenal! Unfortunately I was committed to Port Royal gaming action this week and tried out the system for the first time…at least three games. I know we tried the “Treasure Map” ability, but not too quite to sure we did it right.
As we start Week 8, looks like some big-time sea action with “Masters of the Sea”. This is a great opportunity to get a good maneuverable ship like the sloop or even a frigate with some veteran sea dogs or similar to do those Advanced Maneuvers with ease. What is your favorite go-to ship maneuver to do? It would appear for Oak & Iron, will press your ability to sail with a random event to impact the sea conditions…mmmm…sounds a bit tricky! For Port Royal doesn’t take out to sea, but searching for Morgan’s Sword…plus a free Expert Seaman…oh yeah! I hope to get this played out a few times this week when visiting family out west.
Keep them pictures coming! Love to see your game and all the cool figures and terrain. Especially terrain…I’m sure other captains have followed your lead on terrain ideas…especially for Port Royal. I like the cut out ruins which came with the box set, but I have a full tub of blown out buildings for my WWII action. These work great as they have similar features for the Caribbean and worked great for Port Royal.
Keep those lines of communication open and flowing as our Captain Rum Runner Wray, post updates and additional information in the Discord Pirate channel. This is a very active channel which discusses strategy and voting for raids…so make you vote count for the next raid!
Finally, get your games in, raise the Black and most of all…have fun!
Yarrrg! Rum-Runner Wray here, we are wrapping up the campaign in a solid Standing. Well Done Pirates! The enthusiasm for Dutch blood is always appreciated- but perhaps not as beneficial at this point in the game. Please be sure to check the Discord for our voted upon Pirate Targets. We grew bored with another territory, and handed it off to our good friends in the Natives! That should make this race a little more interesting in the last few weeks, but we surely ruffled some Aristocratic Feathers with our Pirate-y Shenanigans.
The Drink Contest is closing up- here are a few more submissions in addition to last weeks:
We will review the submissions and select some winners randomly for the bonus prizes! If you submitted a recipe or an image for the drink contest, keep an eye out on your email this week!
Be sure to prepare your personalized figure, flag, sails, or fleet for the week 9 Pirate objective! Let’s see to eyepatches, Pirate flags, peg-legs, and unique sails. Post them in the Discord, and be sure to include a photo along with your game submission! We still have a ton of Prizes to hand out – don’t miss out on this one.
The Unaligned & Minor Powers – Week 7 Commander Update
Fellow Unaligned Captains!
We are not here for crowns or kingdoms, but for coin and renown! Every step we’ve taken, every blow we’ve struck, has brought us closer to the promised reward. Remember why we fight: for the gold that awaits and for the reputation that will secure our next contract. Press on, brave souls! For the dawn of victory is at hand, and it is we who shall usher it in and claim our due!
– Unaligned Commander RhiBranyHud, Josiah Huss
Don’t forget to go after those Unaligned Faction Prizes by completing the Unaligned specific goals, they are listed here in the Unaligned Player Update:
From the logbook of Captain Marts:
“The dawn came and the wind was fair and the sun bright. Returning from being wounded, Captain Marts was given command of a Barco Luengo and two units of men to scout the upcoming attack on New York. The Brandenburg privateers were happy to be under sail, even though it was a smaller boat. Anything was preferred to being at port for too long.
Soon, another ship was spotted, an enemy sloop plying the same waters. I signaled my intention to parlay, but they must have misread the flags as a cannon shot soon went across his bow. The Zeelieden immediately returned fire, damaging the sloop slightly. The ships quickly circled and moved towards each other.
The sloop suddenly turned into the Barco Luengo and the Sea Dogs managed to grapple the ships, though it took two tries. Once grappled, the Sea Dogs charged the Zeelieden, who had just taken casualties from the Freebooters, forcing another casualty and forcing them to retreat. The Kapers, waiting for the right moment, opened fire causing a few casualties among the Sea Dogs while taking fire from the Freebooters.
The Zeelieden were wiped out by the Sea Dogs. The Kapers made them aware of their poor choice by firing into them and then charging in to wipe out the unit. After a withering volley from the Freebooters, I struck colors to save my remaining Kapers. The English, realizing that both ships were privateers with the same mission, released the Brandenburg Privateers. So I, Captain Marts, decided to join the sloop and Captain Rodgers to continue our mission.”
Event Spotlight – Historicon 2025
This past week the Historicon convention was held in Harrisburg, PA. Among the many awesome games and tables showcased at this convention, there was a couple events for Blood & Plunder!
El Morro
In commemoration of 400 years since the Battle of San Juan, Bradley Meloy and Tyler Stone put on a truly epic and lavish 12 player scenario where the Dutch were assaulting a Spanish fortress Puerto Rico. Check out the pictures from this game!
Historicon Land Tournament
I believe the same duo helped host Land Tournament at Historicon, using the entertaining “A Wanted Man” scenario for the final round.
And our fearless Native Commander and crew also got some games in during travel for the convention!
Historicon is a great show and has long been one of the best conventions for Blood & Plunder. HIghly recommended if you can make next year!
Numbers and Stats
Let’s look at some numbers on games played, nations and factions represented and player leaders. We got two weeks left and you might be interested in some of these team and individual statistics so far.
Nation Report
Who’s winning? The Pirates had a big week, pulling ahead, while people really piled on the leading French. The Spanish have been consistently scoring well, pulling into second place. Read more about the happenings here.
If you total all the campaign points players have been earning, the English, having the most players, are doing really well.
Faction Report
We’ve played ALL THE FACTIONS! Every faction from Blood & Plunder, Oak and Iron and Port Royal have been used!
Big Blood & Plunder factions this year include:
- Spanish Militia (26+9 NPBtL and RtB)
- British Royal Navy (40)
- French Buccaneers (53)
- Dutch Navy (36) & Dutch Caribbean Militia (36 and 28 for RtB and NPBtL)
- Iroquois (13+9+7 for RtB, FOtF and NPBtL)
- Brethren of the Coast (39) and Golden Age Pirates (29)
- Brandenburg Privateers (18) and Scottish Militia (13)
Of all the Port Royal factions, the French Buccaneers are the most played at 73 plays!
For Oak & Iron, the Pirate faction has the most plays at 39.
Individual Player Report
Which player has accrued the most infamy so far? The infamous privateer, Tyler Carlson is currently in the lead with 111 player points from 35 games logged.
Also close to the top we have Sebastian Valdes, Martin Collins, Christopher Regan, and Charlton Mason.
Players Logging the Most Games
Players who have logged the most games include Greg Padilla, Derek Taylor, Martin Collins, and Kirk Busta as the top 5 players so far.
Here are some nice pics from Greg’s games this year so far.
Most Nations Played for
We have several players going for the “played for the most nations” prize. Right now Georgia Worthy, Mark Stigter and Greg Padilla have played for all 6 nations and a handful of other players are very close!
Here are some of Mark Stigter’s pics from this year.
Players teaching Most New Players
Part of the goal of this campaign is to ensnare more people, I mean share our hobby and help teach new players. That has been a success again this year. Right now, players have reported teaching 455 brand new players!
After an epic Historicon, Bradley Meloy is ahead, with Christopher Regan, Sebastián Valdés, Tyler Carlson, and Martin Collins filling out the top 5.
Week 7 Player Report for Oak & Iron
There have been some very large Oak & Iron Games reported this week.
Week 7 Player Report for Port Royal
Week 7 Objective – OBJECTIVES ACCOMPLISHED
This week’s objective of playing an amphibious game was a bit harder. 107 players accomplished this objective of the 170 entries for the week. Players could accomplish this objective through playing the Escape by Sea scenario from the Organized Play Kit booklet. The games of Port Roya and Oak & Iron were harder to recognize by picture, but plenty used the Treasure Map rule for Port Royal and the Raze/Escape from Nassau scenarios for Oak and Iron.
We were able to make up a Escape by Sea battle report on YouTube this week if you want to join the fun.
Week 8 Objective – Masters of the Seas
Week 8 Weekly Objectives – “Masters of the Sea“
With only two weeks left, now is the time to cram in those last-minute points for your games. Here are the bonus objective events for Week 8:
Port Royal: Players agree to designate one plunder token as being Morgan’s Sword (on pg.77). Also, all companies may immediately recruit an Expert Seaman (Dutch) into each company for free.
Blood & Plunder: Perform an Advanced Maneuver at Sea or play the Fickle Sea scenario in the Orginezed Play kit. The new updated version of the Control the Field scenario from the Errata 1.4 would be a good scenario to facilitate doing some Advanced Maneuvers as well.
Oak & Iron: This mimics the concept of the Fickle Sea scenario from Blood & Plunder. Roll a die at the start of each round and apply the corresponding Event Card based on the result.
Cannon = Wind Increases
Musket = Wind Direction Change
Pistol = Gusts
Skull = Wind Decreases
Sail = Wind Increases
Cutlass = Calm
Weekly Campaign Prizes!
OK, it’s time to start handing out plunder! This is one of the best parts of the community event Q Don’t forget to check out the full list of prizes for the Summer of Plunder campaign.
Best Photo of the Week
This week’s prize for best photo goes out to Josiah Huss! This shot of the Scottish Privateers resupplying off the coast is really great. Well set up!
Here are some of the other great shots this week.
best table for Week 7!
I (Dan, the Prize Tsar) had forgotten to award a Best table for week 4, so I had to rectify that by choosing a table for this week! The lucky Winner for best table is Bradley Meloy! He has won a piece of terrain from BrassTac Terrain!
That kind of table is hard to beat!
Random Player who Accomplished the Weekly Objective
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 Derek Taylor!
Derek 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 7
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 Rich George!
Second Random Prize of the Week 7
Another random weekly winner wins a small scatter terrain bag from Stone Temple Studios! This week’s winner is Julian Nault!
Unique Random Prize of the Week 7
In addition to our recurring prizes each week, we have a unique prize for thisweek. This week we’re giving away a copy of Adam Marrow’s book Pirate Ghosts and Buried Teasure to Johnny Grogan! He completed the weekly objective and won this prize through random drawing!
Summer of Plunder on Tabletop Simulator
More Pictures! So Many Pictures!
Final Thoughts on Summer of Plunder Week 7
We’re already on the home stretch! With 2 weeks left, it’s time to gear up for the final games! We hope everyone enjoys some good sea games this week, then some final nation-driven objectives next week.
