led by the L'Apertif the Freedonian squadron comes into view of Cape Canape
only to be confronted with a swarm of Pirate ships
6DEC1619
In the frigid waters off Cape Canape the Freedonian fleet met and crushed the Pirate fleet. In a hard-fought battle against the vicious Pirate fleet the Freedonian Admiral, Duc de Sarenzac, has proven once again that the navy of Louis the Ravenous is a factor to be carefully considered. Shaking off the effects of a powerful storm that had lasted the whole night before the Freedonian navy engaged the Pirate fleet just off the rugged coast of Cape Canape. The majestic power of the Proper-Mealers bore the chaotic assault of the Pirates with complete aplomb before scattering the enemy to the four winds.
Notes for the Admirals Involved;
Freedonian Admiral, Duc de Sarenzac
The King has demanded that you support the Army in its efforts ashore. You have protested against sailing during the stormy season but to no avail. Your mission is to bombard the Pirate positions at the tip of the headland as thoroughly as possible. This would be problematic under the best of circumstances and now you have another storm brewing as well as an enemy fleet in sight. The two smaller galleons were went astray during the last storm but you cannot wait forever for then to appear.
You mission ,as you see it, is to preserve the fleet, bombard the shore position and lastly, sink the Pirate fleet; accomplish all three and you are the King's new favorite, fail and you are likely to end your days as the governor of some fever-ridden island in the Indies
Pirate Commander
The Freedonian fleet has appeared much to everyone's surprise (including your own!). They clearly intend to bombard and/or bypass your positions ashore. You have no time to recover the guns and men defending the pass so will have to face the Freedonians short-handed and light on metal.
Of course the move by the Freedonains must be blocked. The problem being that none of your ships can stand toe-to-toe with the large Freedonian galleons. Your ships are faster and more maneuverable and still have surprisingly large crew for their size, so a boarding action after a couple of rakes might just be the answer. Provided of course that you can catch them at a disadvantage.
The loss of too many of your vessels would, of course, be a disaster
Nantuan Captains
You were tasked with transporting the surrendered garrison of Nantua to a friendly Small-Plater city after Nantua fell to the Proper-Mealers by an act of treason. For this mission you chose ships for their capacity, not their warlike mien. This voyage has been dogged with bad luck since you left port. Just after leaving port your were struck by an unseasonably violent storm out of the North-East which drove you westward for almost a week. Having survived the storm you found yourselves in the far western end of the Middle Sea. Realizing that you would now have to sail between the unfriendly shores of Freedonia and the patently rapacious shores of Mindoro you have been slowly guiding your battered ships back to Gluttonia. Last night's storm at least pushed you in the right direction, but the dawn found you overtaking three great galleons (no doubt belonging to Freedonia).
The fanatic Small-Platers among your passengers are demanding in an unpleasantly forceful way) that you engage the clearly much superior foe. At a glance you know that there is no chance of beating the Freedonians in a gun-duel but, as you are carrying twice your normal compliment of soldiers, a boarding action might just be winnable.
Choose wisely; a mistake will likely cost you your ship and your like in a single stroke!
the Freedonian squadron, front to back; L'Apertif, L'Entree and L'Digestif
the Pirate ships, in the distance the Maiden of Muttton, the Grinder and the Shredder,
in the foreground the brigs Knife, Spoon, Fork and Bowl
after a swirling approach the Pirates thought that they saw their chance as L'Entree became separated from her sisters, the Jackals of the Sea swarmed the ship attempting to board her
while turning to rescue their sister-ship L'Apertif and L'Digestif
sank Spoon and Knife in a storm of cannon fire
passing flanking shots also reduced the Maid of Mutton to a shambles
while in the distance two ships bearing Small Plater flags were seen approaching
this caused joy among the Pirates and concern aboard the Freedonian ships
as L'Apertif and L'Digestif were turning about to face off against the Small-Platers
another Pirate vessel joined the fray in trying to board L'Entree, the heroic crew of Freedonians repelled all enemies at a terrible cost
after a desultory exchange of fire the Small-Platers fled, leaving the Pirates to their fate at the hands of the Freedonians and the approaching storm, failing to make headway against the stout defense of the L'Entree and terrified by the approaching Freedonian Galleons the Pirates cut their cables and fled under a thunderous storm of cannon shot, having cleared off the Pirate fleet the Duc de Sarenzac disembarked his Marines under the cover of his broadsides and cleared away the nest of Pirates that were blocking the Thermopylae of Epicurea
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