Spanish Call to Arms
Greetings brave Soldados in the Indies,
Tomorrow I board a ship bound for the Indies and La Cuba. I enjoyed my time in retirement. Recent events however have endeavored to call me to action again. Carlos II has perished and left the crown to Felipe, Duke of Anjou, grandson of the Sun King of France. As the War drums begin sounding in Europe over the Spanish crown I throw in my lot with Felipe V. I am being sent to the West Indies to defend the empire. I will work closely with our Catholic French Allies and the local Native Caciques.
Take up arms, sons of Spain! Be watchful and drill your milicianos frequently. Our enemies will take any opportunity to take any part of the empire that was granted to us by God to be caregivers. Fight the Lutheran invaders and piratas for every inch of ground.
We will organize into Flotillas to assist in the war effort, but you will need to join the Discord server to get your flotilla assignment. I will be sending prizes for those who show that they are true Hidalgos. First in week 3 we will give a prize to a random player who plays with at least 1 French or Native unit in their force. We must rely on our allies this year. I will also send a prize to the player with the best picture of the combined alliance force.
-Gerardo de Guale
Spanish Commander: Garrett Swader
It’s me again Garrett Swader and I’m once again honored to be leading the Spaniards this year. I’ve been playing blood and plunder since the first SoP all the way back in 2021. I have always had a love of learning history despite being a scientist. While I am not specifically a “18th century pirate” fan (I think they were kinda lame compared to the 17th century Buccaneers), I do enjoy studying the Golden Age of Piracy, and the entire period of European colonization of the Americas.
My choice of factions when I got into the game was very easy for me. I have always thought the trajectory of the Spanish Empire in the Americas was fascinating and I always played Spain in video games such as Age of Empires 3 and Sid Meier’s Pirates.
I will continue to preach the word of Blood and Plunder’s best faction based on national flavor and diversity of game play options. For anyone who chooses to play Spanish this year, Welcome to the community and remember to be Ruthless! Santiago!
Spanish Second in Command: Ash Reyes
Greetings,
I am your Lieutenant, Alejandro Reyes Moncada. Brave compatriots, Spain finds herself in a time of need. For your fortune, for your King, for our Father in Heaven—to arms! Rally beneath the banner and fight for Spain.
Over the next nine weeks, we shall cast dice beneath the scorching sun, in the biting cold, amidst the sugarcane fields, and upon the turbulent seas. From Portobello to St. Augustine, from Campeche to Antigua, we shall mete out Spanish steel and lead those who deny our King Philip of Anjou his rightful claim to the throne.
Countrymen, take up arms! A summer of plunder awaits you!
Hola!
My name is Ash Reyes, and I’m happy to introduce myself as the Second in Command for Spain this summer. I’m a newer player myself, so I hope that inspires fellow beginners to engage with this fine community. I’m wrapping up my college career in Biology and Anthropology, so if I start going down rabbit holes about animals and cultures, now you know why!
If you haven’t decided on a faction yet, consider the forces of Spain! An empire in decline, the Spanish often worked outnumbered and with fewer resources further away from each other. In other words, the perfect underdogs! Spain also has access to some truly unique units and playstyles. While we may not have the most accurate muskets (or the most powder!), we have the greatest variety in weapons available to core units, from cavalry with lances, to heavy arquebuses, bows, rapiers, lances, to cutlass and pistol! If you want it all, cast your lot with Spain, and know that you won’t be assembling a drab force that’s indistinguishable from another. Be unique, and join the largest empire in the world!
Spanish Objectives
Week 3 Objective – Coordinate and Conquer
- Blood & Plunder: play a game using a French or Native unit in your force.
- Port Royal: Play a game using no gunpowder weapons
- Oak & Iron: use the Corsairs upgrade card in a game.
Week 9 Objectives – Spanish Ambuscado
- Blood & Plunder: Play a game using the Lay in Wait rules or play the Ambush scenario from Raise the Black as the attacker.
- Port Royal: Make an attack using a Character that is Concealed, OR use the Ambush deployment.
- Oak & Iron: Use the “Aggression” initiative card at least once during the game
Spanish Prizes!
Lets go through what you could win if you play for Spain this year.
- The player with the most overall Spanish points will win a commander model completely painted by me.
- The player with the most overall Spanish points playing O&I games will win an Oak & Iron Galleon
- The player with the most overall Spanish points playing Port Royal will win a Spanish Commander model of your choice.
- Each time you complete the objective during week 3 or 9 will enter you a chance to win your choice of a Spanish 4 miniature blister pack.
- The player who submits the best picture of each week (week 3 and 9), judged by me, will also win a Spanish blister pack of their choice.
Great Pirate Paint Off Spanish Entry Award
From all the Spanish entries in the Great Pirate Paint Off this year, we have chosen this fleet of beautiful Oak & Iron Ships painted by Michael Prescott.
