Intro
We’re 1/3 of the way through this year’s Summer of Plunder! With three week complete, more than 250 gamers from around the world have been plundering away with 604 Blood & Plunder, 140 Port Royal and 92 games of Oak & Iron logged in the campaign so far!
You can check out the progress on the Campaign Map here. This post will include messages from our commanders, prize winners, featured games and pictures, and some stats and point leaders in the campaign so far.
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.
England – Week 3 Commander Update
Lord Commander Faulk:
Congratulations Englishmen on our claimed land this week! It has been a difficult road, but we’ve shown some tenacity and been rewarded for the effort! Hopefully, we can continue the slow grind through the enemy teams. We really enjoyed seeing the large point commanders on the field and it seems it worked well for us. With the new theater opened, we look forward to claiming our ports and defending our holdings. Look for this week’s orders in the pinned section of “British-orders” when in doubt!
Leftenant Hilliker:
British Commanders, we have made some hard fought gains in the NE and with the Caribbean opening and fresh troops arriving daily from Europe, it is time to prepare the Royal Navy to set sail. Your Leftenant request for you this week is to share a photo of your B&P or O&I fleet setting sail in the discord channel.
Featured English Game
Enjoy these great Pictures from Marc H’s game this week.
Top Scoring British Player
The top British contributor so far is Eric H
France – Week 3 Commander Update
Happy Wednesday, players! Did you all enjoy ‘French Week’, courtesy of the Summer of Plunder organized play kit? It’s exciting to see some French history on the tables, and we’re going to continue that tradition this week… but first… let’s recap this week’s action!
An empire like ours deserves to be recognized, and the best way to do that is through absolute dominance! We continue to hold both the North and South theaters of battle, which should be celebrated… with caution. It pains me to write this, but Dear Montreal has fallen into the hands of the three-headed evil known as the British, Dutch, and Pirates. Hey Dutch – they keep calling it the British Alliance. You should feel offended and join us instead! Anyway, luckily, our defenses were strong enough to thwart other attacks up North. Our goal last week was to stand firm, and stand firm we did! Excellent work on coordination as always!
Oak & Iron players made excellent progress in the Atlantic this week. Players coordinating with Amiral Nicodéme Belrose have opened up sea lanes in both the north and south, giving us another strategic advantage heading into maybe the most crucial week of SoP gameplay! Congrats ‘wlonk’ and the dedicated O&I playerbase!
Now… onto new challenges! This week is an exciting week, strategy-wise. The Caribbean theatre of war is open, meaning there are three areas to maintain. I imagine many people got into these tabletop pirate games thanks to entertainments like Treasure Island, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, so it’s fun to see the island nations off the Central American coast join this year’s Summer of Plunder. What will the French strategy be as new lands await us? Tune into the Discord to find out.
Dexter, Robert, and Julian, with our main man Montbars, at Game Con Canada – these gentlemen put in the work to bring Blood & Plunder demos to the Canadian masses this past weekend!
As for this week’s Daniel Montbars physical model drawing… as mentioned earlier, we’re keeping it historical. While last week was a celebration of René Duguay-Trouin, this week will be a celebration of Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville! Pierre, born in Montreal, is best known for founding the colony of Louisiana. To enter the drawing, log a game using Iberville’s Expeditionary Force! We recommend adding an advisor character to your list to back up Iberville. Not only will it net you an extra point (this week’s Summer of Plunder weekly objective is to include a hostage/advisor character), but poor Pierre wasn’t doing too hot by the start of Queen Anne’s War. He contracted malaria so needless to say… he could use some assistance on the front lines. Give this old French badger one last hurrah (…before he dies of yellow fever in Havana) and win the French some games this week!
Top French Player
The top French contributor so far is Robert M. He racked up a ton of point this week running demos all weekend at Games Con Canada
The Pirates – Week 3 Commander Update
Ahoy, pirates, what a week upon the high seas!
We brought the full fury of our fleets to bear this week, striking hard across the map in a bold and coordinated campaign. Our forces joined in the great assault on Montreal, and through relentless pressure and unwavering resolve, the city now flies the Flag of our alliance. A monumental victory that echoes across the riverways and trade routes alike.
Elsewhere, the seas proved more bitter. Despite fierce efforts and determined assaults, Quebec, Placentia, and Norridgewock held firm and remain in enemy hands. These were hard-fought engagements, and though the outcomes were not in our favor, the strength of our attacks made our presence known across every front.
Particularly noteworthy was our full commitment to the northern theater, where pirate crews reinforced the massive strike against Montreal while also joining the assault on Quebec.
Our national objectives focused on occupying buildings and boarding enemy ships. We achieved both in abundance across this week’s battles. We will be drawing our first national objective prize during the Pirate Wednesday Planning meeting. Any pirate who completed the national objective and posted in our channel will be eligible.
We end the week poised to strike the enemy. Montreal is ours, a prize of great strategic value, and with reinforcements arriving we are ready to push forward to secure the North. We sail into the coming week with ambition and momentum.
Fair winds, pirates. The war is far from over.
Top Pirate Player
The top Pirates contributor so far is David C.
Spain – Week 3 Commander Update
¡Saludos valiente Soldados!
We have held our ground and done our duties for our catholic alliance in the north this week. The opposition barely holds onto the meager towns they still retain. Keep up the good fight for our alliance as we may be called to move the Amadas into new territories this week.
Speaking of the Armadas, I have dispatches from the commanders to share with you now. It has been brought to my attention that most of the armada dispatch ships that went out this week never made it to their destinations which led to confusion amongst our forces. We in leadership will try to rectify that in the future. We may consider sending convoys with them to ensure the orders are communicated.
This week our objective was to play a game with a French or Native unit in our force and for all of those who did that I want to thank them for participating. The random draw has pulled commander Montgomery Montague of Armada de Domingo for the prize of a 4 mini blister of their choice. Also the best picture award goes to Nick Culbert of Armada de Biscay for this great shot of their game below. They also will get a 4 mini blister of their choice. Be looking for emails for info on prizes.
-Gerardo de Guale
Now here is a message from 2nd in command Reyes
¡Saludos desde la Habana!
The last week has tested our physical and mental prowess, and you have risen to the challenge with grace. One week ago, I promised you tales from the front of our battles of glory. Today, I have the pride of announcing to you all that we still hold domination in both theaters.
Through a series of vicious assaults by our foes, we have held fast and maintained our domination over both the North and South of this continent. Despite their efforts, our territories stand resilient against the tides. What’s more, we have secured a Sea Lane both at Charleston Harbor and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
It would seem that against all odds, our own system has worked against us. There was confusion amongst the fleets, depriving our troops to the North of vital assistance. We have found the source of this, and appear to have resolved the matter. Independently of this error, Montreal was taken by force, a massive attack by the enemy overcoming our garrison. We will repay this attack, compañeros.
Your fervor and ferocity are known across this continent, but that is not enough. This war has waned in La Florida, but grows anew in el Mar Caribe. We must neglect no lands on the continent, but ignore no sea lanes nor islands as well. I entrust to you, my compatriotas en armas, to continue to show these impertinent fiends who owns this Mundo Nuevo. I await your battle reports.
Firmado, Teniente Alejandro de Reyes y Moncada
Featured Spanish Games
The Spanish armada has gone East in this game from Nick C!
Top Spanish Player
The top scoring Spanish player so far is Michael H. He’s been playing all the campaign scenarios on great looking tables.
The Netherlands – Week 3 Commander Update
IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE DISCORD PLEASE AT LEAST JOIN THE GRAND ALLIANCE (or British alliance as some call it) FACEBOOK GROUP! DUTCH VOTES WERE SKEWED BY PLAYERS PRESUMABLY NOT AWARE OF THE PLAN!
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18zPe7FmVn/
Landgenoten,
Lt. Commander Snix:
Loved seeing what our mercantile masters were able to trade this week! Here’s looking at you, Mr. Fishback!
To the proud Dutch sailors of the Orange fleet and its noble sons and daughters who defend our interests in the colonies:
Greetings and salutations my friends! I’m thankful once again to be the honored lieutenant of our nation and able to deliver you this missive.
Our initiatives in the new world continue apace regardless of the trifling efforts of those jealous of our successes. The sun rises pleasantly over the deck of the Verdonkeremaand and now rises as well over our new holdings in the northeast. Enjoy the fine smoked meats of Montreal but don’t rest too long. We have work to do, the Bourbons have vexed us far too long!
With that thought I will leave you in good health and courageous in heart. With our combined might will we will overcome!
A few notable images from our brave compatriots:
Faithfully,
C. “Swindler” Maassenn
Good evening, my fellow traders and Dutch officers!
What a week, Montreal is ours! I am overjoyed to be your commander on such an auspicious day! But do not let this usprirsingly entertaining sport known as “Hockey” distract you, there are still more Spanish and French treasures that lie just over the next hill (or wave!) I am additionally proud to say that the VOC (which has NOT bailed me out in ANY way, shape, or form from a Tulip-related financial bubble, once again NOT) has a few words.
The VOC is proud to see so many emissaries and new sponsors; however, it is noticed that out of all of them, one had a particularly valuable edible argument. For both a on-theme snack as well as the VOC board of directors being hungry at the time of the decision, the board has unanimously voted to award the services of a sloop to the honorable Dutch Privateer and now VOC salesmen Henry Fishbeck!
This was a great week, and I look forward to seeing everything we can accomplish with the power of friendship, trade, and gratuitous violence!
Your favorite Tulip dealer (now sitting on the VOC Board of Directors),
Zac “Little Tulip” Small
More Dutch Snacks!
Top Dutch Player
The Dutch player who has earned the most points so far is “Admiral Smeerlap”
The Native Americans – Week 3 Commander Update
Good day my braves
Tlaloc spoke to me during my spirit walk under the stormy skies. He is pleased with your efforts to follow the old ways. He blesses our forces, and aims to guide the weather to assist our cause.You have appeased him, and have brought honour to our ancestors.
My braves you fought well in the defense of Montreal, But I must inform you that the invaders have taken it. I call for a curse on our foes, as we must not stand for this. We will avenge this city and make the enemy pay thrice fold for their transgressions.
I congratulate my raiding parties on their recapturing of Norridgewock. Despite spilling our enemies’ blood, I ask you not to relish this victory too long as the wind of change has opened a new front to this war. A front full of territories we once owned and will rightfully own again. Arm your warbands and prepare to reclaim these lands. Go now and bring honour to our ancestors.
My braves, for when you fight in the rain, Remember Tlaloc fights with you and aids your cause.
The Golden Seal
Battle Report Video from Native Player
Featured Native Port Royal Game
Here are some great shots from some Caribs in Port Royal from Peter J.
Top Native Player
The highest contributing player from the Native team so far is William O.
Numbers and Stats
We’re three weeks in. Let’s look at some numbers on games played, nations and factions represented and player leaders.
Games by Nation
The Pirates, English and French are getting the most plays so far this year.
Faction Report
There are a LOT of factions to enjoy in Blood & Plunder. Between the Oak & Iron factions and all the Blood & Plunder factions, there are a few more than 100 factions people can use in this campaign and it’s always a goal to have all of them used by the end of the event! After 3 week of play, most of them have already been played! Here are the most played factions so far.
- The Flying Gang – 45
- Jamaican Pirates (Port Royal) – 41
- Oak & Iron French – 32
- British Militia 31
- Dutch Kapers (Port Royal) -19
The Pirates have already played all their factions while every other nation has at least 1 unplayed faction. Let’s see if we can get through them all again this summer!
Game Stats
This campaign includes Blood & Plunder, Oak & Iron, and Port Royal from Firelock Games. Blood & Plunder makes up the majority of the games submitted, but Port Royal and Oak & Iron make up about 27% between the two.
Individual Player Report
Which player has accrued the most infamy so far? Each game submitted earns a participant a number of campaign points. You get more points for larger games, teaching new players, playing in a public space, and accomplishing the weekly objective or playing the weekly scenario.
Right now our top scoring pirates include:
- Robert M – 79pts
- Dr. D – 53pts
- Michael H – 50pts
- Eric H – 44pts
- Joshua V – 35pts
Around 260 different players have submitted games so far this year.
Week 3 Player Report for Oak & Iron
The French have been tearing it up at sea with Oak & Iron this year!
It’s very cool to see some Native Oak & Iron games happening as well! The Native Faction is not an official Firelock Games product, but was created by Jason at Timber & Sail and printed up and distributed by Josiah H this year! Huge thanks to those guys for opening up this game to Native players this year.
Week 3 Objective – National Objectives or Prisoner Rescue at Rio de Janeiro
Each nation had their own objective this week, so go over the Commander reports to see how those went. The Dutch snack exchange was especially entertaining.
There were a lot of games of the Prisoner Rescue at Rio de Janeiro scenario from the Organized Play Kit this week. This scenario features the French and Portuguese and Rene Dougay Trouin from the kit. But players played with their favorite nations and factions and it looks like everyone had a good time!
This was a nice, easy objective to get the campaign rolling. It’s a good small game which is great for reviewing rules or teaching the game to new players. Most players followed the objective this week! Of the 229 games logged, 199 followed the objective (87%).
Week 4 Objectives
Here are the current week’s obejctives:
- Blood & Plunder – Use a Hostage/Advisor Character in your Force
- Oak & Iron – Play The Gentleman’s Final Hour Oak & Iron Scenario from TimberAndSail.com
- Port Royal – Play Stede Bonnet’s Last Battle (Port Royal Scenario). Can play either Historical or Campaign format.
The scenario for the week is the Port Royal scenario in the Organized Play kit.
This scenario was developed and contributed by Erich over at Thieves’ Harbor. Erich does awesome work in all three of these games and this should be a fun scenario!
If you’re wanting to stay “on theme” but still play Blood & Plunder, you can check out Tyler Stone’s great “The Last Gentleman” scenario featuring Stede Bonnet on Dead Man’s Chest. He has a great multiplayer game laid out with simple but thematic rules to make a great game. This is a scenario that the Ship’s Pilot would be useful, and it would fulfill the objective of using a Hostage/Advisor Character!
Week 3 Campaign Map Update
In case you missed it, we’ve also put out an update for the campaign map and the battles that occurred at that level. Here is a quick link to the campaign map update. The English made a big move this week!
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
This week’s winner for the Miniatures Prize is Anthony D, who played for the English! Anthony is getting a fresh set of Pikemen minis.
Weekly Terrain Giveaway
This week’s winner for the terrain Prize is Nick C, who played for the Spanish! he has won a Two Story House from Things From The Basement!
Weekly Scatter Terrain Giveaway
The Winner of the Scatter terrain prize is none other than the fantastic, fabulous Dr D! Enjoy this scatter terrain from printable Scenery!
Weekly Objective Prizes
Accessory Pack Prize
The Winner of the Accessory Pack prize is Ethan T, who played for the Natives! Enjoy your accessory pack from The Doubloon Lagoon!
Commander Model Painted by Dr. D
This week’s winner of the Painted Commander Prize is Oliver K, who played for the French! He has won a painted mini of Rene Dugauy Trouin!
Book Prize
This week’s winner of the Book Prize is Braiden W, who played for the French!
He has won the Memoir of Rene Dugauy Trouin!
Ship Giveaway
This week’s winner for the Ship prize is Luke S!
He played for the Pirates, and has his choice of a Barco Luengo or 3 Canoas.
Port Royal Beasts Prize
For our Port Royal Players for Weeks 1-3, a lucky winner (random draw) has been awarded some Wild Beasts for their table!
Ben S, who played for the Dutch, has won such Beasts! This prize is provided by Thieves Harbor.
Critters!
I don’t know if there was just a couple special games, or a secret theme, but there were a lot of little critters making appearances in people’s pictures this week! Sharks, Hogs, Gators, Monkeys! All sorts of fun this week.
Summer of Plunder on Tabletop Simulator
William O has been running a escalation league on Tabletop Simulator and they’re getting a lot games in! Tables are looking so great!
More Pictures! So Many Pictures!
Final Thoughts on Summer of Plunder Week 3
Enjoy the upcoming week and grab some great games with friends. Make an effort to reach out and thank your national Commanders on discord if you get a chance. They’re all putting in a lot of work to help their teams have a good time.
There’s been a record number of great battle reports getting shared on Facebook and Discord. Keep it up! We have been trying to share some of the reports here on Blood & Pigment, but we’ve been struggling with a key plugin not functioning after an update and it’s torpedoed our efforts until we get that fixed.
The prizes are flowing! We’ve get a bunch packed up and shipping out this week! Dan has been doing a great job of contacting winners right away and getting things moving.
Week 3 was awesome! Looking forward to week 4! Thanks everyone for participating in the campaign so far and happy gaming!