Intro
We’ve completed the first week of the 2026 Summer of Plunder Campaign! We covered the campaign map action in the first update this week. The French-Native-Spanish alliance made some good moves on the campaign map and took a bit of lead in points, but the English have stout strongholds both in the north and south.
In this update we will get some personal messages from the team commanders and award all the prizes for this first week of the campaign.
Commander Reports
Now, here are some important messages from your brave commanders. Each week our 12 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 1 Commander Update
¡Saludos!
Fantastic start to the campaign my soldados. Our armadas were able to effectively maneuver and coordinate with our allies. Here is a summary of my correspondence with our fighting forces.
Armada de Aragon was sent to St. Johns, along with the bulk of the Bourbon alliance. I have been told they conducted themselves very well during the action. As things early on were looking grim a shout of ¡Santiago! was heard by all and our forces carried the day. The Armada de Biscay was able to execute an overland coordinated attack on Hollatchatroe with our native allies. the local tribes were convinced to join with us in driving out the English from Carolina. This will also help to secure the lower Mississippi river for our alliance.
Armada de Castile was on its way north to Norridgewock when it hit a bit of bad weather that damaged a few masts. The fleet needed to put in at St. Augustine for repairs. This as it turns was a stroke of luck or God’s blessing as we were able to rebuff a pirate attack. Armada de Domingo was able to pick up the slack as they brought much needed supplies to the French at Norridgewock. All told this was a fantastic week for the Spanish. If you are not already, get yourself on the discord so you can join in with the Armadas and share in the fun.
-Gerardo de Guale
Compatriotas valientes, it is with great pride and pleasure I announce to you our successes this week. Thanks to your tenacity, fervor, and the grace of God, we have secured the lands of their strongholds in Hollatchatroe and St. John’s, in addition to Norridgewock and Pensacola. The Gulf of Saint Lawrence is protected by our Timbers of oak, and the resolve of iron from you, our flotilla commanders. I cannot commend you highly enough for these achievements. However, I should make you aware that the English, and their own allies, have reinforced Charleston Harbor so close to our own capital of Saint Augustine, and taken Chicacas. Our very own Placentia was lost to these perros del Mar. We must persist against these threats to our lands, and deny to our foes everything.
Work with our allies, the noble French and the clever Natives. Double your patrols, and ensure your fleets are sailing both well timed and well armed.
Firmado,
Teniente Alejandro de Reyes y Moncada
Pictures from Spanish Player this Week
England – Week 1 Commander Update
From Admiral Faulk:
As the first week of the summer draws to an end, I would like to reflect on the grit and determination the English forces have put forth for Queen and Country. We may have lost two territories, but our remaining locations have been bolstered; remaining strong during turbulent times. May we find our footing in this wind gale and march straight and true through the foes who slaughter our brethren. With support from our Dutch allies and men of questionable backgrounds, we shall find victory.
From Leftenant Hilliker:
As the second in command my number one duty is to see to the morale of our soldiers, marines and sailors. This week, we will focus on rallying for our cause around the flag. To do so please play a game this week with a Standard Bearer or a ship bearing either the Jack or the St Georges Cross. Share your tales of glory amongst one another to bolster our resolve. In addition, the crown has seen fit to issue one extra ration of grog to each of you!
Pictures from British Players this Week
France – Week 1 Commander Update
Viva Le Roi Soleil!
I don’t know about you, but I love a good sea shanty to start my Summer of Plunder conquest! Luckily, you’ve given me shanties-a-plenty to share with the group across this campaign!
First order of business: Congratulations French players, on an amazing first week of gameplay! I was astonished by the number of games logged. On behalf of myself, Henri Le Roux, and Amiral Nicodème Belrose, I thank you for your commitment to our Week 1 targets! Your work made our strategy a success!
Just as important as the games played is the fun you’ve had with our weekly objective! The Sun King is delighted by all of the shanties sent to him this week. He couldn’t choose just one shanty. Instead… he chose them all! Congrats to Discord users Jish, AikasMX, csherrange, and Team Banzai for winning a physical copy of our exclusive SoP Monbars model! Please message me your address, and I will ship out your model within the upcoming weeks!
While I can’t guarantee The Sun King will be this generous every week, know that he is watching our work with pride. Speaking of The Sun King, he graced us with this message. It includes this week’s prize drawing objective:
A Message From King Louis XIV,
Dear Loyal Servants of New France,
Queen Anne and I are absolutely tickled with joy by the progress you’re making across the Atlantic. Our youngest, the Duke of Orléans, is brimming with joy at our progress down south. I’ve since promised to name a city down there after my cute little boy.
I am exceptionally pleased by the work of Joseph de Monbeton de Brouillan de Saint-Ovide. Though his name is too short for my liking, his strategy at St. Johns was flawless! We have won the first of many battles against the British thanks to your heroics in New France!
In honor of our week 1 victory over Britain, I am asking my loyal players to gloat in the moment during their week 2 games. To enter this week’s Monbars physical model prize drawing, players must submit a game photo that shows France’s dominance over the British. Maybe your models are trampling over the British flag. Perhaps you’ve set their Galleon a-blaze. Maybe you ordered a side of British chips, then smothered them in a delicious French cheese! Interpret as you may, but let’s keep this hype-boat going! Submit the photo(s) when you report your game on the Blood & Pigment website.
Your Ruler,
…and now, a message from my Cousin:
Picture of this years give away mini, Montbars, as painted by Julian aka Jumba Miniatures on Facebook.
Pictures from French Players this Week
The Netherlands – Week 1 Commander Update
Good day to all my fellow Dutch seafarers! Great week one so many awesome photos and games already!
Lt. Commander Snix:
Well well well, here we go again. The lousy louts bloodied our noses, but rest assured the cream always rises to the top my compatriots.
As always we Dutch are putting in the work where it counts. Love to see full tables like the one from our man Brent here:
Well done! Hope you wiped the floor with ‘em!
And while we’re at it, the best pressed ought to be the best dressed as our loyal captain ScarlitWidow represents! (Dutch fleet advances on the French king),
Looking forward to another great summer with the best of the best! Really impressed with the quality of our faction thus far and I’m sure we’ll do great things!
Pictures from Dutch Players this Week
The Native Americans – Week 1 Commander Update
This is a great day, my council. It appears Huitzilopochtli showers blessings upon our brave warriors, and has granted us a victorious first week.
I praise our warbands on their grand offensive which has landed early success against the invaders. These victories led to the capture of Hollatchatroe, Pensacola, St. Johns, and Norridgewock. We must stay agile like the mountain lion and not sit on these gains, even now our enemy plots against us. Be ready, sharpen your hatchets, dip your fowl into concoctions most foul, and prepare for their assaults against our rightfully owned land.
However the enemy has undermined our defences in Placentia, and have captured Chicacas and Port Royal. We must not stand for their blatant infringement on our ancestral lands. I call on you, my raiding parties, to get ready to attack and repay their transgressions threefold.
We will push the invaders from Turtle island!
The Golden Seal
Pictures from Native Players this Week
The Pirates – Week 1 Commander Update
Ahoy there, my fellow brethren of plunder!
During Week 1, we sailed the seas to glory with our Pirate Flags flying high and proud. Our Monday Movie Night and Wednesday Planning and Paint gatherings were well attended, and it warmed this old captain’s heart to see so many swashbuckling souls still appreciating Muppet Treasure Island.
On the campaign map, we sent the bulk of our forces to Port Royal, Placentia, Mission San Luis, and St. Augustine, striking at the fringes of enemy control. The assault on Port Royal was a resounding success, securing us a valuable gateway into French territory. At Placentia and Mission San Luis, our crews fought hard and held the line in bloody standstills against determined opposition. Meanwhile, our feint toward St. Augustine achieved its purpose, drawing enemy forces away from more critical objectives.
A hearty thanks to all ye pirates who have dropped anchor in the Pirate Discord to share tales and photographs of your glorious battles. Your stories keep the spirit of the fleet alive between engagements.
Now we set our sights on Week 2. The seas remain dangerous, the enemy remains vigilant, and fortune favors the bold. Keep your powder dry, your cutlasses sharp, and your eyes on the horizon.
Fair winds and calm seas, pirates. Onward to victory!
Pictures from Pirate Players this Week
Week 1 Player Report for Oak & Iron
With a new function within the campaign, we’ve seen a few more Oak & Iron games entered this week. There were 29 games of Oak & Iron entered this week with some from every nation (including the Natives!).
Week 1 Port Royal Games
There were 58 games of Port Royal logged this week.
Week 1 Objective – Play a Small Game or the Scenario of the Week – Sortie from Castillo San Marcos
We saw a lot of participation in the objective and scenario challenges this week. Of the 354 entries this week, 268 either did the objective or played the weekly scenario. The Sortie from Castillo San Marcos scenario challenged the Attackers to move quickly and start fires on buildings (can be a finicky process!) while the Defenders had to hope for prompt reinforcements to strike back at the raiders.
Here are some of the many pictures of the San Marcos scenario being played out this past week:
You can watch Josh S play out this scenario on his YouTube channel here:
Or read a throughtful battle report on the scenario here:
Week 2 Objective – Multiple Ships or Hornigold & Teach Scenario
We have new objectives & challenges this week! The Blood & Plunder “In Consort” objective is to play a force with more than one ship in it. These can be boats (size 1 ships) for smaller scale games (or Natives) or larger ships for games of 200 or more.
The scenario of the week can be played as a two or three player game and pits two smaller pirate ships against 1 larger French frigate. You can get your new Hornigold mini on the table here along with your Blackbeard model from your starter set. And if yo don’t play French or Pirates, you can modify the force lists and still enjoy the scenario.
Timber & Sail has a fresh custom scenario you can play to fulfill the Oak & Iron objective for the week. You can find the “Dueling Convoys” scenario here on TImber & Sail.
The Port Royal objective is grisly!
- Week 2 – 6/10-16 – “Bloodlust“
Kill an enemy with a Plunder Token. This week: Plunder Tokens are also considered melee weapons with Concussive, Heavy Strike, and a -2 Damage Bonus.
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.
Weekly Mini Giveaway
The winner of this week’s miniature blister is Jadlyn Semple, who played Blood and Plunder for the Pirates!
Weekly Terrain Giveaway
The winner of this week’s Terrain prize is Michael Frank, who played Blood and Plunder for the English/British!
Weekly Scatter Terrain Giveaway
The winner of this week’s Terrain prize is Jim Davey, who played Blood and Plunder for the English/British!
Weekly Objective Prizes
Accessory Pack Prize
The winner of this week’s Accessory Pack prize is Matthew D Miller, who played Blood and Plunder for the Dutch!
Commander Model Painted by Dr. D
The winner of this week’s Painted Commander (this week’s model is Jose de Zuniga Y La Cerda) is Montgomery Montague, who played Blood and Plunder for the Spanish!
Book Prize
The winner of this week’s Book Prize (1702 Siege of St. Augustine by Charles W. Arnade) is Brian Kreis, who played Blood and Plunder for the English/British!
That’s it for prizes this week. If you didn’t want a prize but need a little booty, you can pick up some of this year’s limited edition Campaign Stickers for free!
Ship Giveaway
The winner of this week’s Ship Prize is Daniel Carlson (not related to Dan Carlson!), who played Blood and Plunder for the French!
Summer of Plunder on Tabletop Simulator
William O has diligently led up an escalation league on Tabletop Simulator and it has been very well received!
More Pictures! So Many Pictures!
Final Thoughts on Summer of Plunder Week 1
Game on! We broke last year’s record for most games played in the first week by just a few games. More than 200 players jumping in during the first week of the campaign is awesome!
Watch for a post outlining the prizes available during week 2 soon. We should also have a battle report on the week 2 Blood & Plunder Hornigold & Teach scenario up soon. We’ve been trying to coordinate with players to publish some of the community’s awesome battle reports here on Blood & Pigment, but we’ve only got one out so far. Watch from more community content in that department soon.
And even more exciting for those of you who are getting heavily invested in the campaign map and competition of alliances, Jason Klotz is working up a great article looking at the tactics and possibilities using this year’s campaign system. Watch for that to be published soon as well!
It’s great to see everyone enjoying some awesome pirate gaming this summer with Firelock Games’ Blood & Plunder, Oak & Iron and Port Royal on their tables.