by Steve Blease
Of all the pirates in all The Land, none was as feared or hated as the legendary Dwarf Fyrebeard. Following his latest successful raid on a Rat outpost to the west of Mõrroetaeñia, the legendary Dwarf pirate finds his route to open sea through the narrow Dier's Straits blocked by Rat galleys out for blood - his blood.
Fyrebeard's pirate group comprises of three vessels. Fyrebeard's Tottenammer a Frigate (medium vessel) with heavy guns and Seasoned crew, the Rummied Orc, a brig (small vessel) with medium guns and an Able crew and a corvette (a small vessel), theBlastedz with medium guns and a Seasoned crew. The Pirate vessels enter the board from the east at any speed.
The Rat squadron is commanded by Capo del Gorgonzola and comprises of one war galley the Tagliatelle with an Seasoned crew, two Gallass', the Penne and Gnoci with Able crews and three galleys, the Carbonnara, Fusille and Fettucini all with Able crews. The Rat vessels start the battle static in the western half of the board.
The board area is 72cm by 48cm. Coastline runs along both the top (northern) and bottom (southern) edges of the table. The sea is depth 1 up to 8cm from the coasts and depth 4 elsewhere. Both sides are aware of this.
The Pirates have to exit the table to the west. If Fyrebeard's Tottenammer is sunk, the pirates automatically lose regardless if the other two ships escape. The Rats aim is to sink all of the pirate ships.
© Wessex Games 2001