Some info on LotHS

[TJSKI]

Guys,

Since LotHS will soon be out, I thought I would post up some info for all those folks curious about it, so here goes.

The book is slated to arrive in October and it is currently going
through final editing right now & figures have been sent to Rob Broom
for pictures. Legends of the High Seas has been an almost 2 year
project for me and I'm glad to see it coming to fruition. So what
exactly is it, well its best described as this:

It is a time of high adventure and hardship, when every voyage could
be the last and when sailors dread the sight of the Jolly Rogers
flying high. With this game, you can take command of a notorious
Pirate, a cavalier Privateer, or disciplined Royal Navy Crew and with
these rules you will be able to recreate battles that defined the
Golden Age of Piracy.

The system is based on the excellent Legends series rules that Mark
Latham wrote for the Old West and many other Games Workshop systems.
Although very similar to LotOW, there are many new changes that make
LotHS different from its predecessor. I have also incorporated a
simple yet effective Ship game that lets you fight battles from ships
on the open seas. I will highlight some of the changes below that
make Legends of the High Seas different from legends of the Old West.

The basic game mechanic has remained virtually unchanged with
Initiative, Movement, Shooting, Fighting and Courage, but there were
changes made to each section. The Fame and Fortune sections have had
a few changes as well to bring the rules in line with the timeframe.

Some of the biggest changes have been the equipment sections; you
know have options for Flintlock pistols and rifles, Blunderbuss,
Swivel guns and grenades. Also melee weapons have been changed; the
biggest change over LotOW was the sword. Now all swords (except two
handed swords) are allowed to Parry which allows the wielder to
defend himself much the same way that Shielding is used in Lord of
the Rings.

Also another addition to the rules was for players to have a set of
rules to use ships in combat. After much play testing I came up with
a simple but yet effective system for using 25mm ships on the table
top. I went for fast play over realism and if folks want a more
detailed set of sailing rules they may add in there own favorite set
of rules.

Another addition was adding Captain Archetypes that allow every
Captain to select a personality that dictates how his Crew operates
while sailing and fighting. This is also in place of a "Ships Code"
or "Ships Charter" that each crew signed before beginning a voyage.
There are three Crew types that may be chosen, Royal Naval Crews,
Privateers Crews and of course Pirate Crews. Each Crew list has its
advantages and disadvantages to it and adds a certain flare to the
game.

There is also a campaign section that covers Injuries, Experience,
Ship Repairs, Mutinies, Collecting booty and of course see how famous
(or infamous) you have become. There are also skill sets that each
crew can have depending on what type they are. In the trading section
there are many pirate items that may be purchased from treasure maps
to Monkeys!

I have included nine scenarios that focus on land adventures and two
scenarios for Ship to ship battles. Also included is a non player
generation system that will allow you to not always fight the same
Crews over and over. I have also included stats for many non sailor
types of folks from governors and townsfolk to island natives.

There is a Hired Hands section that cover crewmen that may be
purchased for your Crew to help specialize it from another Crew.
There is a Carpenter, Surgeon, Navigator, Master Gunner, and many
others that will make your Crew unique.

The last section covers the more famous Pirates & officers of the
time period. You will find Edward Teach aka Blackbeard, Bartholomew
Roberts aka Black Bart, Lieutenant Robert Maynard, Charles Vane,
Colonel William Rhett and a others just to name a few.

I have tried to write a set of rules that captures the romance of
pirates and allows for fast action and play. You will not find Zombie
pirates or cursed treasure in this book, but there is now reason why
players could not come up with stats to do this. I hope you enjoy
sailing the High seas looking for adventure with this set of rules.

So there you have it, now someone bring me some rum and that sunset!

Tim Kulinski

[revford]

Sounds great, we're really looking forward to this one.  

I just needs to commandeer me a ship.  

[Lowtardog]

My crews are ready

One ship in dry dock remaingin to be made sea worthy still recruiting for Marines 9front rank) and the Cap`n (Black Cat) has been given his letter to go a Pirate chasing.

[Prof.Witchheimer]

Ahoi! Coming weekend....  :wink:

[Chris Steadman]

Sounds excellent. I'll definitely be getting a copy.

Anyone remember which issue of Wargames Illustrated carried the article on making Pirate ships by Gary Chalk?  

[Westfalia Chris]

Sounds excellent. I'll definitely be getting a copy.

Anyone remember which issue of Wargames Illustrated carried the article on making Pirate ships by Gary Chalk?  

You can download those on the Wargames Foundry homepage. Otherwise, I got the issue right here... August 1999, iirc.

[cwchmc]

Sounds fantastic, Tim. I can't wait to get my hands on this.

Chuck

[Chris Steadman]

Sounds excellent. I'll definitely be getting a copy.

Anyone remember which issue of Wargames Illustrated carried the article on making Pirate ships by Gary Chalk?  

You can download those on the Wargames Foundry homepage. Otherwise, I got the issue right here... August 1999, iirc.

Thanks Chris, that's a big help.

[Westfalia Chris]

Well, itīs not August 1999, but that doesnīt matter, since I found the page for the pirate ship:

http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/library/pirateship/index.asp

if it doesnīt work (stupid cookie terror), go "library", scroll down to "Renaissance", and click "28mm Pirate Ships and how to make them".

[The Somnambulist]

Looking forward to it TJSKI.

Why are Pirates called Pirates?

Because they AAAARRRGGGHHH!

[TJSKI]

Looking forward to it TJSKI.

Why are Pirates called Pirates?

Because they AAAARRRGGGHHH!

 ::  ::  ::  ::    ::  ::  ::

That was a good one, at first I was thinking what does he mean? Then it hit me "Because they AAARRRGGGHHH"   ::  ::  ::  ::  ::

You made me laugh...

Tim