Create Rocks from Leftover Bits of Plaster

I created a scenery base for taking pictures and had some left over plaster, so I poured the leftover plaster into a rock mold. The rock mold gave me predictable result; four beautiful rocks.  Still having some leftover plaster I spooned it on a piece of wax paper into small piles. After the plaster had dried I took a chisel ended hobby knife and shaped the bits of plaster until I was happy with their shape. To color my rocks I used the following paint and colors:

• Model Master, Light Grey
• Pactra, Dark Gull Grey
• My Studios, Grey
• Folk Art, Medium Grey

I usually stated with a dark base color, followed by a dry brushing with two or three related lighter colors. I also tried reversing the process and used a light base color followed with a dry brushing of darker color. This technique does work if you apply the secondary colors sparingly. It is like you are trying to paint detail on the rock, like shadows for instance. Lastly, I applied a couple of good coats of black wash on the rock carvings. This flowed into the cracks and crevices and muted and fused the colors together.

What were the results? The results were that no two hand crafted rocks or boulders were the same. Although I did try to create several rocks that were similar in appearance, each rock is unique. I experimented with different techniques and processes on each rock. On one of the grey rocks I added grey chalk and some fine green turf material to represent moss. I added these components while the paint was still wet and gave the carving a good bath of black wash.

The picture does not do the carving too much justice and I feel that the rocks will look pretty good surrounded with landscaping material.  I use these rocks as small islands when I play the Pirates at Ocean’s Edge miniatures game.  Three dimensional islands are more realistic than the flat islands included with the other game pieces. 

The Black Mongoose is Double Trouble

The Black Mongoose

It has been awhile since I have made a post on the Pirates at Oceans Edge; however, while collecting ships for battles on the high seas, I came upon two copies of the Black Mongoose and have often wondered what should be done with the duplicate ship. Recently I came up with the following house rule. The house rule fits with the many insane situations that occurred in the Pirates of the Caribbean series

House Rule

If this ship is destroyed, the controller of this ship gets to roll one dice. On the roll of anything except a 1 the duplicate ship it put into play. The controller may commence to fire there cannon at the ship that contributed to its demise, at point blank range, or may sail away using its normal movement factor done twice.

Treasure Islands

Painting my Dreadfleet Leviathan Island got me thinking about my Pirates at Ocean's Edge’s game and its rules. The standard way to distribute treasure is to distribute treasure pieces evenly to all the islands. In real life, who knows for sure, unless you had some kind of lead or you were in procession of a treasure map, whether the island you were visiting contained any treasure at all?  Might you be stopping at island just for water and or provisions? So looking for treasure would not normally be on one’s mind.

House Rule ##?

Before performing a explore action the player must roll a die. On a roll of a 1 or 6 the player will pick one treasure if they roll a 1 or may pick up to 3 treasure pieces if they roll a 6. Players may overload their ships holds, but will be acceptable to storms and from running aground on reefs. Any other die roll would exclude the player from “finding” gold on that island. This die roll would be in addition to the die roll to that was cast for an Explore situation card. Players may revisit islands to “search” for gold after discharging their gold at their home island. 

Cagway Bay, a Pirates Miniatures Game

Cagway Bay is free game that is in beta. Cagway Bay can make use of your Pirates of the Spanish Main ship miniatures. The site offers a “bare-bones” scenario, which pits three blockade runner ships against three blockade ships. There is a movement wheel and charts for boarding and cannon fire actions.

The basic idea of the game is for the runner to send three ships to a distant island; only one of the ships actually carries a special cargo, the other two ships act like decoys to lead the ships of the blockade off their watch and allow the prize ship to arrive to its destination.

Dreadfleet Leviathan Island

My Dreadfleet islands have arrived from Hoard O’ Bits. The islands are just about the right size for my Pirates at Ocean's Edge, ECT games. Even though there isn’t too much in the way of assembly, I appreciate having something to fit together before painting a piece. These islands will be a welcome addition to the flat cardboard islands that are supplied with these game packages.

House Rules for the Monsters Found in my Pirate Games

Like I mentioned in an earlier post sea monsters every description can be found in Whizkids Pirates of Davy Jones Curse and Pirates on Ocean Edge, as well as other editions. These monsters are typically grouped with the Cursed. What I was thinking was letting someone control these creatures as you would a fleet of ships.

The monsters have special abilities just like many of the ships and crewmembers. This collection of monsters would go about making life a bit more interesting for the other players. Not only would player have to deal with each other, but now would have to deal with these sea monsters.

The monsters already have set movements and even cannon fire, but when did monsters have the ability to inflict damage from firing a cannon? What abilities would creatures like these normally have?

• A sea serpent might wrap itself around a ship and try to crush it (smaller ships might be more susceptible to this than a larger ship).
• It might try to pick off a crewmember.
• It might come up from the deep and capsize a ship
• The creature might use its tail or body to de-mast or to remove other structures off of the ship.
• The creature, once it has totally smashed the ship, might notice glittery treasure and pick-up these gold pieces( only to the their capacity).
• Depending on the creature, it might have the ability to pull the ship under.

These abilities would be tied to dice rolls or whether or not the creature was submerged or not. A coin would be rolled at the beginning of the monsters turn to see whether they will make their movement submerged or on the surface. Of cause if moving on the surface they would be susceptible to cannon fire.

The Monsters of the Pirates of the Curse of Davy Jones and On Oceans Edge

There are reportedly many monsters included in Whizkids Pirates of the Curse of Davy Jones and On Oceans Edge, from sea serpents, fire breathing dragons, and giant crabs. I have yet to receive the later, but have received the following four monsters.

These monsters act like ships. They can fire cannon and their segments, wings, and other body parts act like masts and are removed on successful cannon shots. I am not all that crazy about these official rules and I am working on some house rules for these pieces. More to follow.

Jormungander can be found in Old Norse mythology. Jormungander is a sea serpent and within Pirates of Curse of Davey Jones has the following attributes:
Point Cost:	17
Nation:	Curse
Masts:	4 (on a sea monster the serpents segments are considered masts)
Cargo Capacity:	4
Movement:	L
Cannon:	S2, S3, S3, L4
Special Abilities:	If this sea monster succeeds at a boarding attempt, it eliminates one mast, and can take one unique treasure. The treasure is eliminated from the game. Before each turn the controller of this sea monster must declare whether the sea serpent is submerged or is on the surface. If submerged it cannot be shot at. It can pin or ram a ship, but cannot be pinned. A sea monster cannot carry a crew, and cannot tow.
Maxehebel is the great granddaughter of Jormungander and has the following attributes:
Point Cost:	15
Nation:	Cursed
Masts:	4 (on a sea monster the serpents segments are considered masts)
Cargo Capacity:	0
Movement:	L
Cannon:	L2, S2, S2, S3
Special Abilities:	After resolving a Shoot Action this sea serpent may move as a free action If this sea monster succeeds at a boarding attempt, it eliminates one mast, and can take one unique treasure. The treasure is eliminated from the game Before each turn the controller of this sea monster must declare whether the sea serpent is submerged or is on the surface. If submerged it cannot be shot at. It can pin or ram a ship, but cannot be pinned A sea monster cannot carry a crew, and cannot tow
Shal-Bala is a Sea Dragon a flying creature and is most feared by seamen from every nation.
Point Cost:	20
Nation:	Cursed
Masts:	4 (on a sea monster the serpents segments are considered masts)
Cargo Capacity:	0
Movement:	D (since she can fly Shal-Bala has unlimited movement)
Cannon:	L2, L3, L3, S2
Special Abilities:	A Sea Dragon can be given two distinct shoot actions: A normal shoot action A swoop shoot action
Lusca: Although this sea monster has been seen by many a seafarer, this monster seems to be mechanical in nature. Did you notice the three green and what looks like portholes? In addition, this monster is flagged with a British flag.
Point Cost:
Nation:	England
Masts:	4 (on a sea monster the serpents segments are considered masts)
Cargo Capacity:	0
Movement:	L
Cannon:
Special Abilities:

Crew from Pirates at Oceans Edge

Crew:	Explorer (2)
Point Cost:	1
Nation:	Spain
Special Abilities:	This ship may dock and explore a wild island using the same move action.
Crew:	Master CPO, Charles Richard
Point Cost:	6
Nation:	America
Special Abilities:	This ship may move and shoot using the same action.This ship gets +1 to her boarding rolls. She gets +2 added to her rolls against a sea monster.
Crew:	Cannoneer
Point Cost:	2
Nation:	America
Special Abilities:	Once per turn, this ship gets to re-fire one of its cannon if it misses.
Crew:	Helmsman
Point Cost:	2
Nation:	Pirate
Special Abilities:	This ships gets +S to her base move.
Crew:	Musketeer
Point Cost:	3
Nation:	England
Special Abilities:	The ship with this crewman gains one S3 cannon. The cannon can shoot even from an eliminated mast.
Crew:	Cannoneer
Point Cost:	2
Nation:	Spain
Special Abilities:	Once per turn, this ship gets to re-fire one of its cannon if it misses.
Crew:	Captain (2)
Point Cost:	3
Nation:	Pirate
Special Abilities:	This ship may move and shoot using the same move action.
Crew:	Captain
Point Cost:	3
Nation:	France
Special Abilities:	This ship may move and shoot using the same move action.
Crew:	Davy Jones
Point Cost:	12
Nation:	Cursed
Link:	All cursed ships
Special Abilities:	Limit. Once per turn the holder of this crewman must roll a die. Upon a roll of 1-4 you may give this ship an extra action.  On a 5, you any give any ship you control an extra action and on a 6 you may give an enemy ship an action. Limit: You may only use one of these cards per game.

Pirates at Ocean Edge-Flotilla #3

You might notice that this list only has four "ships" listed instead of the five that had been presented in the past two lists. I broke another ship while it saw under construction. The tabs on the masts are very brittle and easy to break even when I am being so very careful.

Name of Ship:	Shal-Bala
Nation:	Cursed
Point Cost:	20
Masts:	4
Cargo Capacity:	0
Basic Movement:	D
Cannon:	S2, S2, S3, and a L2
Keyword/ Abilities:	Sea Dragon, Fear Once per turn Shal-Bala can fly to any location on the board, land or sea.
Name of Ship:	Pioneer
Nation:	Pirates
Point Cost:	10
Masts:	4
Cargo Capacity:	3
Basic Movement:	L
Cannon:	L3, S3, S3,and a S3
Keyword/ Abilities:	English crews may thier abiliites on this ship.
Name of Ship:	Lusca
Nation:	England
Point Cost:	16
Masts:	5
Cargo Capacity:	0
Basic Movement:	S
Cannon:	S3, SW3, S2, S3, and a S3
Keyword/ Abilities:	Sea Monster: This sea monster get a +1 to its boading rolls. If it seccceds at a boarding party it also eliminates one mast.
Name of Ship:	USS Jame Madison
Nation:	America
Point Cost:	9
Masts:	2
Cargo Capacity:	3
Basic Movement:	L
Cannon:	S3, and a S3
Keyword/ Abilities:	This ship gets a +1 to her boarding rolls.

Special Rules for the Lusca

The Lusca game piece is labeled as a sea monster and with that tag it does have a set of special abilities. However, whatever the special abilities, the vessel should probably have some additional attributes and special abilities. I would think this piece should include a shock value. In addition, like the Nautilus, the Lusca vessel would be made of steal and thus almost impervious to ordinary cannon fire.

There are more than a Few Reasons the British should (if they haven’t already) build a Submarine like the Lusca

The first reason for the British to build a submarine is to catch Captain Nemo, while he is under the sea. The mechanical tentacles could be maneuvered to catch and put a hold on the unsuspecting Nautilus

A vessel like the Lusca could also be brought into play against other enemies of the realm. The physiological effect on Britain’s enemies would be great. Think of the terror the vessel like this would stir among the crew from a vessel being attacked by what looks like a giant squid?

Is There a Hint of Steampunk in Pirates at Oceans Edge?

Evidently there is. One blogger reported seeing Steampunk like contraptions on the bows of some ships. The contraptions resemble pinchers that can be used to grab and hold a bow of another ship.

Another discovery that smacks of Steampunk is a playing piece called Lusca. Lusca, a sea monster and whether real or myth Lusca does figure in to local lore. The beast is said to be half shark and half squid and is said to live in the Bahamian blue holes. The version included in Pirates at Ocean Edge is depicted as a large squid.

There two clues that point to this creature as being another Steampunk invention instead of the sea creature as purported.



If you look closely at the creature you will see what looks like three green port holes. In addition to the port holes the vessel is said to belong to the English. How could the English train a sea creature like Lusca to do its bidding? Have the English built a submarine?

Phileas Fogg makes a cameo appearance in Anderson’s Captain Nemo. Whereas Fogg is self-assured in Verne’s “Around the World in Eighty Days”, he seems to be quite indifferent in Anderson’s Captain Nemo. After being pulled out of the sea by the crew of the Nautilus Fogg’s huffy demeanor puzzles Nemo. Fogg seems to haves no interest in the Nautilus or its workings. However, a bit later blurts out “You and this abomination of a vessel have just cost me a very large wager”. Because of some new found compassion in Nemo, Fogg does make it back to London on time to win his wager.

But what if Fogg was actually a spy and took in more than we first realized. Now the English government knows with out a doubt that the creature that has been raising so much havoc on the high seas is not a sea monster, but a manmade vessel. Why not endeavor to create your own. It may be the only way to catch the wily Captain Nemo at his game.

Situation Dice Rolls

Given two six-sided dice and wanting to provide as many different situations for my pirates Move, Shoot, or Explore actions I figured all the dice roll possibilities for these two dice.

Dice Roll	Situation
1 + 1	2
1 + 2	3
1 + 3	13
2 + 2	4
2 + 3	5
3 + 3	6
4 + 1	14
4 + 2	15
4 + 3	7
4 + 4	8
5 + 1	20
5 + 3	22
5 + 2	16
5 + 4	9
5 + 5	10
6 + 1	21
6 + 2	17
6 + 3	18
6 + 4	19
6 + 5	11
6 + 6	12

Pirates at Oceans Edge-Flotilla #2

You might notice one duplicate here, that is one Black Mongoose, a pirate ship. It seems these ships become more beautiful and fabulous with each release. I have one more set to photo and record and that will probably be it with the purchase of these pirates’ ships. I do have so much work to do in accumulating and formulating a descent set of rules for these ships.

Name of Ship:	Ghost Walker
Nation:	America
Point Cost:	15
Masts:	3
Cargo Capacity:	4
Basic Movement:	L
Cannon:	L2, L2, and a L2
Keyword/ Abilities:	Windcatcher. Once per turn one crew or ship with a S of this ship cannot use its ability that turn.
Name of Ship:	Black Mongoose
Nation:	Pirates
Point Cost:	10
Masts:	3
Cargo Capacity:	3
Basic Movement:	S + S
Cannon:	L3, L3,and a L3
Keyword/ Abilities:	This ship gets a 1+ to her cannon rolls against English ships.
Name of Ship:	HMS Concorde
Nation:	England
Point Cost:	14
Masts:	3
Cargo Capacity:	3
Basic Movement:	S + S
Cannon:	L3, L2, and L3
Keyword/ Abilities:	After this ships resolves a shoot action, she may move as a free action.
Name of Ship:	La Serpiente
Nation:	Spain
Point Cost:	9
Masts:	2
Cargo Capacity:	2
Basic Movement:	L
Cannon:	S2, and a S2
Keyword/ Abilities:	This ship gets a +1 to her boarding rolls. She also gets a +2 if he opponent is a sea monster.
Name of Ship:	Maxman Brigitte
Nation:	Cursed
Point Cost:	12
Masts:	4
Cargo Capacity:	5
Basic Movement:	S
Cannon:	S5, S4, S4, and a S5
Keyword/ Abilities:	Once per turn if this ship is touching another ship, it must reveal all face down treausre. This ship may take as much unique treasure from that ship as she can carry.

New Terrain Pieces Offered in Pirates at Oceans Edge

Whirlpools have been added to the list of terrain pieces available in Whizkids pirate’s game. When any part of a ship or sea monster touches a whirlpool, you must roll one die. If you roll 4-6, you may choose to eliminate one of the following: a mast (or segment), a treasure piece, or one crew member from your ship. The treasure and or crew member are to be removed from the game.

The trouble with these terrain pieces is that since there is a repercussion when landing on the terrain pieces why would you steer toward one. There must be a way to effectively make use of these terrain pieces. One idea that I have thought of is use situation cards that would require the card holder to turn their ship five or ten degrees to the left or right. If a terrain piece is within their altered path the ship would have to run into it.

Pirates of the …, Nations and New Game Features

I have eluded to some of the nation’s or factions participating in this constructible strategy game, but wanted to detail the nations or factions  participating in this game for the four editions I process materials for.  

Pirates at Oceans Edges (Tenth Edition), was released in 2007.

Nations & Factions: America, England, France, Pirates, Spain, Mercenary

New Game Features: Catamaran, Sea Dragon, Titan, and Windcatcher are new keywords

Whirlpools are a new terrain type

Pirates of Mysterious Islands (Eighth Edition), was released in 2006.

Nations & Factions: America, Cursed, England, France, Pirates, Spain

New Game Features: Ex-patriot, Mercenary, and Submarine are new keywords

Mysterious Islands were introduced

Pirates of Davey Jones Curse (Seventh Edition), was released in 2006.

Nations & Factions: America, England, France, Pirates, Spain, Barbary Corsair, Jade Rebellion, Cursed

New Game Features: Black Mark and Sea Monsters are new keywords

Pirates of the Spanish Main (First Edition) was released in 2004.

My Pirates at Oceans Edge Special Edition Cards

In an earlier post I made mention of how normal cards containing the game materials measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches and how the Pirates at Oceans Edge special edition contained one card that measured 3.5 x 5 inches.
According to the packaging, the larger cards allow for larger ships and sea monsters. I have purchased three packs that contain these special edition cards and have three large cards that I want to feature here.

Ghost Walker

The Ghost Walker is a Wind Catcher, an experimental ship created by the top minds in the navel department. With its unique system of sails, it was created to keep watch on friends and foes so the top brass would be prepared for all future operations. Once per turn, one crew member or ship within a S of this ship cannot use their ability that turn.

HMS Hermes

The HMS Hermes is catamaran that gets to ignore terrain pieces like whirlpools, fog banks, reefs, or Sargresso Seas. This ship and her crew are tasked with scouting islands to look for pirate havens, and possible staging points and trading posts.

Shal-Bala

Shal-Bala, a sea dragon and has ties with the infamous Captain Davy Jones. It is hard to tell whether Shal-Bala is Jones pet or a partaker in Jones demented paths of destruction. Since Shal-Bala is a winged creature, she has unlimited access to anywhere on the board, whether it be land or sea.
Shal-Bala is feared by all. Only a few have lived to tell their stories about their encounters with Shal-Bala. Many who have lived to tell their stories have given up the sea and have retired to a monastery and do vespers.

The Zeus is Loose

Imagine a 10 masted ship that will outgun any other ship on the board. The Zeus was a special edition ship once offered by Whizkids. This offer was included in the packaging of their Pirates on Oceans Edge constructible game pieces. To claim you had to send in 12 game pack wrappers and receipts from a non-online retailer. Too bad this ship is out of print.

Pirates at Oceans Edge-Flotilla #1

This is my set of Pirates on Oceans Edge ships. I received two to more sets of these special edition offerings and will be making additional posts on these game pieces.

Name of Ship:	HMS Hermes
Nation:	England
Point Cost:	11
Masts:	2
Cargo Capacity:	3
Basic Movement:	L + S
Cannon:	S3 and S3
Keyword/ Abilities:	Catamaran: This ship ignores terrain pieces like Fog Banks, Reefs, Sargasso Sea, and Whirlpools. This ship has a second second smaller hull. When hit, the controller rolls a die; on a roll of 5 or six, the roll reverses the hit. However, if hit, the catamaran will lose its smaller hull before it loses its masts. The catamaran cannot be pinned or boarded as long as she has her second hull. Catamarans cannot be rammed.
Name of Ship:	Salte El Tiburon
Nation:	Spain
Point Cost:	12
Masts:	4
Cargo Capacity:	3
Basic Movement:	S
Cannon:	S3, L3, L3, and a S3
Keyword/ Abilities:	Schooner: Crew of any nationality may use their abilities on this ship. A Schooner can rotate her stern in any direction after she completes a move action.
Name of Ship:	Black Mongoose
Nation:	Pirates
Point Cost:	10
Masts:	3
Cargo Capacity:	3
Basic Movement:	S + S
Cannon:	L3, L3, and L3
Keyword/ Abilities:	This ship gets a +1 added to her cannon rolls when firing on an English ships.
Name of Ship:	USS Atlanta
Nation:	America
Point Cost:	11
Masts:	3
Cargo Capacity:	4
Basic Movement:	L
Cannon:	S2, L3, and L4
Keyword/ Abilities:	When touching a Pirate ship, this ship may load as much that ship’s treasure as she can carry.
Name of Ship:	Maxehebel
Nation:	Cursed
Point Cost:	15
Masts:	4
Cargo Capacity:	0
Basic Movement:	L
Cannon:	L2, S2, S2, S3
Keyword/ Abilities:	Sea Monster: After this sea monster resolves a shoot action it may move as a free action. The sea monsters segments take the place of masts. These masts will be removed on successful hits. A sea monster movement it measured from the white dot on its base or from its base nearest the tentacles.

Words in bold are the ships keywords.

More Mega Packs on the Way

Pirates on Oceans Edge mega packs have become extremely rare and I have just order two additional packs. As of this writing the supplier only had one mega pack left in stock when I made my order.

I am looking forward to seeing whether I can add another monster to my collection. I already have two sea serpents and I am hoping for a giant crab or fire-breathing dragon. These creatures will add some complexity to the game.

These monsters could be used in conjunction with some special situation cards or be controlled by an additional player. Think of it, a player whose job it is to either protect the treasure on some wild island or harass the other players. Alliances may have to be made in order to fight and kill the monsters before the players are able to fight and collect gold amongst themselves.