Firstly, thanks for an enjoyable scenario AAR Paul. The story line was very believable.

I will explain the rules as I understood them when I sailed the mission.

Quote Originally Posted by ShadowDragon View Post
1. When a ship touched one of the "numbered markers" and determined wind strength (from no wind to gale) and direction (for the segment the ship touching the marker happened to be in), did that wind (strength and direction) apply to the other ship if it happened to be in that segment? From the rules that seemed to apply uniquely to each ship touching a marker my interpretation was that the wind was fickle and the indicated wind applied only to the ship that had touched the marker.
The AI ship conformed to the conditions appertaining in its own segment and when entering a new one acted like the controled ship would, unless the controlled ship had already totally entered that segment and set the prevailing conditions. In this case the AI ship acted in accord with these. The converse would also be true.

2. The "segment" the ship "was in wasn't clear since, especially near the centre of the chart the ship's base might span several segments at one. I used segment in which most of the base happened to lie which should include the centre of the ship base.
The segment concerned was the one which the ship first touched as it made its move.

3. A ship being "fully" in a new segment seemed clear enough. The entire ship base needed to be in a new segment.
Nothing changed until it was fully in that segment.

4. If touching a marker, the rules on the one had seemed to indicate that you HAD to determine strength and direction (scenario rule 5 for wind), and on the other hand that it was optional (scenario rule 10 says, "you may draw again" - i.e., may = optional). That didn't come up in my game so I choose the optional interpretation.
I took it that you had to follow the rule.

The major confusion was whether or not the wind determined by one ship touching a marker (and subsequent moves into new segments) did not apply to the other ship. In the game the French ship moved into the same segment as the British ship. The direction did not change (the scenario rules did say re-drawing for strength when moving into a new segment so it stayed the same). However, I had the British ship still becalmed.
The effect of wind in each segment affected both ships once they were within it.

I don't know if that was right but it was time to just play the scenario and move on.

And, yes, you're right - but for the wind change the French ship would have escaped.
However, these games were conceived for the enjoyment of the player, so any interpretation you may care to place upon them is up to you. It is not a campaign where sides are pitted against each other and rules must be followed to the letter. I often change ships, or stack the odds against the player’s ship to see if I can win from a disadvantageous position. It all adds to the fun if you do win. So feel free to manipulate the plot line to suit your story.
Rob.