July Scenario for Solo Campaign: The Treasure Galleon

[fredmiracle]

Here is the July scenario for the solo campaign:

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The Treasure Galleon

Background

“They say it will be war, captain.”

“Bloody well better be,” you think to yourself, mentally tabulating all the debts and accounts-past-due set against your name. But the occasion calls for a noncommittal response: “So many people say, sir.”

“And war may be the making of some officers,” continues the admiral. He’s a canny old bird—maybe he sees right through you, or maybe he just knows your type. “It could be the making of you!”

“I hope I may do my duty, sir.”

“Duty before all, of course. And as to that, well, I have a rather particular mission in mind for you. When can you make sail?”

“We can finish drawing fresh water in time to make the evening tide, sir.”

“Just as I thought. I need a ship that is ready for action, commanded by a captain who is hungry. Your frigate should do nicely. Here are your orders,” handing over the obligatory sealed packet, “but let me give you the bare details. We’ve received word that a Spanish treasure ship has set sail for Cadiz. Now although we are not yet at war with Spain, we have reports that the Spanish are negotiating a secret treaty with our enemy, to be sealed with the bullion that vessel is carrying. This treasure would suffice to tip the balance of power in Europe. I’m appointing you commodore of a squadron, with orders to detain and intern that vessel. If she resists, you are to capture or sink her, but you will not fire the first shot, thereby giving justification for war. At all costs, the gold must not reach Spain!”

“Sink her my arse,” you think to yourself, “I’ll have her as prize or die trying.” Out loud: “I understand sir, and will do my utmost.”

“See you do! That will be all...”

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Situation

The player commands a line of frigates across the treasure ship’s probable course. Unwilling to capitulate, and resigned to the fact that he cannot reach Cadiz without first sinking or disabling the faster and more nimble enemy vessels, the Spanish captain orders the decks cleared for battle…

Setup

Spanish (AI): Buque de Plata (represented by a ship of the line of your choice), located within one-half rule of the Spanish side of the map, facing toward the British side of the map.

Player: Two frigates of your choice, each touching the centerline of the map, with at least one ruler distance between them.

Wind comes from the Spanish side of the map.



Special Rules

Buque de Plata has had guns removed to accommodate more cargo. Whenever it makes an artillery attack, reduce the firepower by one (to a minimum of one).

No player ship may make an attack of any kind until the turn after Buque de Plata first attacks. Buque de Plata has no such restriction, and will attack whenever it has a valid shot, as per the normal AI rules.

Since Buque de Plata cannot outrun her opponents--and therefore must defeat them before she can reach port--she does not roll for disengagement until all player ships have either been eliminated or have disengaged.

Victory

+5 points for capturing Buque de Plata (eliminated by filling all crew boxes, with at least one empty hull box)
+1 point for sinking Buque de Plata (eliminated by filling all hull boxes)
-3 points for each player frigate eliminated

If the total number of victory points is positive, the player wins.