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Author Topic: Pirates vs Spanish colonials Part Two  (Read 830 times)

Offline Hiblock

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Pirates vs Spanish colonials Part Two
« on: September 05, 2022, 01:06:20 AM »
THE FIGHT FOR THE FOUNTAIN – PARTE TWO
Or
THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN JACK

It has been over a year since the Fight for the Fountain. Don Luis de Alcazar has  developed a terrible restlessness ever since he sampled the Aqua de Vida. A hunger to  end the years of exile, return to Spain and reclaim his rightful place at court. To that end  he has used his influence to procure the rank of Captain General of the Treasure Fleet.  This year it is three ships: the flagship El Ballista, and two smaller support vessels El  Duque and El Corazon del Mar. The flagship is a proper galleon-rigged Indiaman, and a  tough nut to crack. The support vessels are square-rigged merchant – much weaker  vessels, but with added soldiers for extra strength. All three ships are carrying treasure – the annual tribute for His Majesty. But the flagship is also carrying the personal fortune  of Don Luis, garnered from years of graft in the colonies. The fruits of the Indies indeed.

Rumors abound about the treasure fleet and many ears are listening to the golden words.  Among them are the ears of Captain Jack Asse. After the disaster of the Fight for the  Fountain, he has endured endless ridicule from his fellow Brethern of the Coast. Captain  Jack has a special score to settle with Don Luis. Was it not Don Luis who paid off a unit  of buccaneers to arrive late to the battle? Here was a chance to ruin his foe and be richly  rewarded for the effort. Yo Ho.

Captain Jack has cobbled together a small fleet of ships. His personal command is the Reaper and two other captains have joined the venture in the Blackheart and Dolphin.  These are galleon-rigged ships with as much firepower as the Spanish flagship, and  stuffed with swashbucklers eager to board.

Three days out of Vera Cruz, Don Luis is enjoying a luncheon with his daughter  Angelica, when the pirate force is sighted. They are coming from the east in line  formation with the Blackheart in the lead and the Reaper and Dolphin following behind.  The Spanish are sailing from the west in triangle formation with El Ballista in the lead,  and the two others following behind.

The Spanish ships turn north for better sailing angles and to present their broadsides to  the enemy. The flagship fires at long range and manages a hit on the Blackheart, but the  pirates continue to close. El Ballista manages to get into position to rake the Blackheart from short range. The destruction is terrible! Blackheart is crippled and with extra hull  damage from a critical hit sinks beneath the waves. Don Luis is clearly not just a fop  with a fanciful hat. His many years at court have honed a fine sense for murder.

The pirates are shocked by this sudden twist of fate, and can manage nothing for a time.  Once they recover their nerve however, a deadly game of cat-and-mouse begins which  will last for the next hour. Most of the cannon fire is at long range. Each side hopes to  inflict some critical damage on the other. But to no avail. No further hits are scored.

Eventually the pirates see an opportunity. Captain Jack gets behind Corazon. The  smaller vessel cannot turn without getting raked from the Reaper, nor can she outrun her  pursuer while close-hauled. Soon the Reaper pulls up beside Corazon muzzle to muzzle,  and fires a broadside. Corazon is crippled and her captain is taken below decks mortally-wounded. But the plucky Spanish vessel is not finished. Her crew are all infused with  Derring-do. Against the odds the Spanish vessel turns into the Reaper, grapples and  boards. The pirates are surprised by the wave of Spanish sailors sweeping onto their  deck. But valor only goes so far. Soon enough, the pirates gain the upper hand and  Corazon strikes her colors.

One treasure ship captured. Cries of jubilation from the pirates are short-lived however.  The Reaper has spent too long grappled to her prey, and El Ballista has closed the  distance. Now it is her turn to grind into the pirate ship, grapple, and send out a boarding  party. The two groups clash on the bloody deck. It is a close affair, and could go either  way. At this moment Don Luis seizes the initiative and personally leads another wave of  soldiers lead by their veteran sergeants onto the Reaper. Pirate resistance crumbles.  Surrender follows.

Don Luis wipes the sweat from his brow. He stares down at the crumpled form of  Captain Jack. “The burro fought like a stallion.” Still this would make his return to  Spain so much sweeter.

Thus ended the career of Captain Jack Asse. Some would say he was the unluckiest  pirate to ever sail. Others would say he died sword-in-hand on his own deck. There are  worse ways to die.

This engagement used the Galleys and Galleons rules. The ships are from the Pirates  range from Wizkids.

Offline Hitman

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 2083
Re: Pirates vs Spanish colonials Part Two
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2022, 07:41:35 PM »
A great write up. The background story and the AAR go hand-in0hand. Very enjoyable. Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Hitman
 8)
Victory is guaranteed to the last man standing, but always remember those whom you stepped on to get there!!

Offline Vagabond

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1622
    • Vagabond's Wargaming Blog
Re: Pirates vs Spanish colonials Part Two
« Reply #2 on: September 07, 2022, 08:58:22 PM »
A great story, I  need to find the original backstory.

A few more pictures might have been fun but your description of events was - descriptive.  ;)
Cheers

Offline Hiblock

  • Lurker
  • Posts: 3
Re: Pirates vs Spanish colonials Part Two
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2022, 05:00:50 AM »

 

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