Hornblower and the Pirates

 Actually, despite the title, this was two games: the first, the last of our Blood and Steel tests, and the second, Blood and Plunder.

For the Blood and Steel game, we stayed with the Napoleonic period. As the last game featured Sharpe, it only seemed right that this one should feature Hornblower. Once again, we discarded the Missions in favour of a narrative style scenario.

The action was to centre around a British attack on a French shore battery. The French battery would begin on table and the British would deploy from boats. 

A French battery overlooks the Mediterranean.

The French artillery position - I really must get some actual artillery crew!

The Royal Navy make their appearance and a unit of sailors leap ashore.

The landing's underway, with the main thrust of Marines on the right.

The French respond with some accurate shooting and hot dice.

It's only turn two and I've used all three bite the bullet rolls.

Needless to say, my dice are definitely not hot!

Two successive calamity rolls see the Marines flounder on the beach. 

Eventually, a group of sailors doggedly advance up the beach and charge the guns.
Five hits on 4 crew - surely the battery is mine!

Saving on 7s - what could go wrong? French hot dice, that's what!

The French fight back but the sailors hang in there.

The sailors are finally driven off, but a second sailor group take the battery.

Only to be assaulted by Voltigeurs. The Marines have finally made it off the beach but it's too late.
I have 3 Attrition points (1 for not being in contact with the battery and 2 for casualties).
I pass the Resolve test but concede anyway - it's just not my day.

British casualties.

French casualties. At least, I suppose. it's three times those of the previous game.

GAME TWO

For the second game, it was back to Blood and Plunder, with Spanish Militia versus English Buccaneers. We diced for the scenario, and it was to be the Plunder scenario from the 'No Peace Beyond the Line' supplement.

The premise is that the defender has secreted some plunder in one of two buildings and the attacker must recover the loot. We rolled for attacker and, despite the English having a +2 bonus, the Spanish (i.e. me) won. Well, the English did roll a one! Perhaps my luck has turned for his game?

Spanish advance towards the buildings whilst  Milicianos Indios skulk in the trees.

A unit of Hostigadores make a dash for one of the buildings.
Sadly, for photography purposes, most of the subsequent action was to be in the shadow of the building!

The Hostigadores find the loot, first go, but are attacked by Forlorn Hope, whilst attempting to escape.

The Hostigadores are driven off, dropping the loot. Note the hand of the English commander, ' begone foul Spaniard!'

Lanceros counterattack and snatch the loot.

Sea Dogs prime themselves for a charge, covered by fire from the Militia

Sea Dogs charge in but the Lanceros hold on.

Don Lardo appears and orders the Lanceros to keep fighting.
The Sea Dogs are eliminated.

As a final blow, the English commander is hunted down by Milicianos Indios.
The English surrender.