Soon the ship's bell was rung to announce the forenoon watch with the quaint four double dings that Lefanu had long associated with the passage of time on a ship. The bosuns would have prepped the galley stove during the middle watch so that the cook and galley staff could get up during the morning watch (which started at the ungodly hour of four in the morning), so that breakfast could be served and ready by six and eight in the morning. Like it or not, the crew needed feeding and as one part of the crew was busy working, the rest of the crew were roused around 6 am so that they could break their fast and replace the watch with a full stomach.

The early hours were always a busy time on a ship, but the crew seemed happy when the Captain exited his cabin to survey the day. Wafts of sea air brought the fresh scent of coffee, pancakes, and bacon.

Sunday January 25th, Year of our Lord, 1671 — Bridgetown

There is a fine salt tang to the air and the seas look fair. As we ride at anchor in Bridgetown's harbour I find myself changing my mind half a dozen times. Our hold is full of fine rum for the Governor's table and I confess the thought of attending Mardi Gras appeals to me, as does the gold I suspect I would gain.

Yet, the ghost of the captured Spanish galleon Esmeralda winks at me from the horizon. A hard fight there but a prize worth winning and Spanish favour... or a Spanish ship! Will she still be afloat next week? The week after?

Time is passing and I must make a decision. Where to turn L'Enchantresse's prow?

---

Having written his log and eaten his own breakfast Captain Lefanu left his cabin, exquisitely dressed as always, to enjoy the open air and be seen out and about by his crew. Coffee, bacon, pancakes and a ship of his own? What more ask to wake up to?

As they worked on the mainsail a few of the crew were singing shanties. They had all the talent for song of the average donkey but their Captain couldn't fault their enthusiasm and listened to them sing on for a moment.

After breakfast and a quick Roman Catholic religious service on deck - it was after all Sunday - Jean made one last inspection of the vessel, exchanging brief words with the crew. He was pleased to see morale was good and even Monsieur MacGann's black eye was not quite so awful looking in full daylight.

With one last wistful look to the South-West he turned to Bernard Lavignine. "Let us set sail. We're bound due West Monsieur Lavigne and on to Petite Goave," he smiled. "We have a party to attend."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:08, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

"Oui, mon capitaine," Bernard said as he motioned for the crew to set sail.

OOC: the rumour is yours to investitage, it will not go away without you deciding it would leave. Since you finished your port call and had an extra action, I imagine you don't mind finishing in the sea just outside of Bridgetown?

Satisfied Jean glanced back at Bridgedown, well lit in the rose and gold of an early morning and watched as the houses and ships masts of the English port began to recede from the Enchantresse. A pleasant enough place, and he was glad of the wily trader he had met - there was a useful fellow!

---

OOC: Ah, okay thanks. And yes finishing in the sea just outside Bridgetown is fine! :)

Ooc: I will need a scouting roll from you dear sir. :D

OOC:
00:05, Today: Jean Lefanu rolled 1 success using 2d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 5 with rolls of 5,2.  Scouting.

Sorry, I meant to make that a secret roll but forgot to tick the box!

No worries, I don’t have everything I need to make the update I wanted, but I will need that roll for it.

Monday, February 9th, year of our Lord 1671 -- Seas Near Bridgetown

The Enchanteresse glides through the Bridgetown's waters during the early morning, the skies are clear, Bridgetown Port safely behind them. Monsieur Lavigne is at the helm, double checking the ship's heading. "Mon Capitaine, sailing due West with your permission."

"Excellent Monsieur Lavigne. Hold us steady west past our home port and for the open sea. We make straight for Petite Goave."

Jean was feeling pensive. Earlier he had overheard the carpenter's mate gossiping like a fishwife to the cook. Apparently tavern rumours had it someone was planning to raid Havana soon and there could be war... Tricky times!

Jean had never sailed under Spanish colours but he had heard they paid well. Tempting... Very tempting.

He watched the foam on the green sea as his sloop glided through the waves.

The Enchanteresse glides into the early morning seas, raising Martinique and capturing the glimpse of a sail in the distance, rounding Martinique's southern most tip. There's a murmur that crosses the crew, reaching Monsieur Lavigne who looks slightly concerned. "Mon Capitaine," he said, "Galleon sighted. She's not flying anyone's colours..."

[Private to Jean Lefanu: OOC: the result of your Scouting roll; you've raised the Empress of the Waves. Will let you RP next steps.]

In reply to Davy Jones (msg # 34):

[Private to Jean Lefanu: FYI -

The Empress of the Waves doesn't change directions, but hoists the French ensign and lowers it again. Are you familiar with the term dipping the ensign?]

"Mon Dieu..." Captain Jean Lefanu said under his breath as the call came out exactly who they must be facing. "There are only two galleons I know of not under colours Monsieur Lavigne and that isn't the Esmeralda. That is an English ship or it was. The Empress of the Waves. The pirate Joseph Bruce Nicholson."

For a long moment he simply watched the other ship, then said coolly. "Monsieur Lavigne dip our flag in return but keep our current course west. Monsieur MacGann check the cannon just in case they change their mind and steer our way."

What was the English pirate planning?

[Private to Davy Jones: I looked it up! ;)]

One of the deckhands ran towards the ship's ensign, and swiftly lowered and raised her again, as ordered. The tension across the crew was palpable as the Galleon loomed menacingly westward. Lefanu knew that he had been spotted, there was no reason for the Nicholson to dip his ensign -- a French ensign no less -- if he hadn't seen the Enchanteresse's own nationality; add to that that the ship hadn't changed course, and had no plans to from what he could see in his spy glass.

Next to Nicholson, a young woman in breaches and tricorn hat beamed as she noticed the Enchanteresse returning their salute. Nicholson's crew, however, remained calm and at the ready, that is until Lefanu noticed a member of his crew -- presumably his first mate -- who until then had been spying the Enchanteresse through his own spyglass, announced that Lefanu was watching. Nicholson responded with respectful nod of his head as his ship passed by a safe distance away.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:03, Wed 09 Feb 2022.

Captain Lefanu tipped his feathered hat to the extraordinary couple he had seen through his spyglass. The woman especially (English Officer's sister surely?) cut a striking figure.

"Steady as she goes Monsieur Lavigne," he said to his First Mate. "They aren't coming after us - and we are certainly not going after them, a purse of gold for Nicholson's head or no!"

The French captain could only count his blessings. Though he had faith in his crew and he'd bet anything on the Enchantresse's speed and maneuverability the English pirates heavily outgunned and outnumbered his gallant sloop. No, let the Royal Navy deal with a leviathan like that!

After watching the Empress of the Waves head away Jean walked back across the deck to take a turn at the wheel himself. Time to press on!

Lavigne seemed as relieved as the rest of the crew and he kept a careful watch on the Empress until her sails were out of sight. "If all goes well," he finally said, "I believe we'll raise Petite Goave by morning, just in time for Mardi Gras, God willing. Do you think our encounter with Nicholson bodes ill, sir?"

Jean looked thoughtful, considering his reply. "Perhaps, but not in the way I expected. Nicholson choose not attack us, either because he thought we'd put up too much of a fight or because he didn't want a French bounty on his head. The fact that he's here though makes me think that the waters are going to become crowded with warships very soon - and then where will we be?"

He looked thoughtful. "There is still a prize on that Anglais, Monsieur Kidd. He may be an easier target for the Enchantresse. Or of course there is the Esmeralda out there somewhere. I'll consider our options once we reach Petite Goave." A smile played on his face, some of the tension leaving it. "Ah just think of it Monsieur Lavigne! A properly French celebration."

“I’m sure you’ll be the talk of the celebrations, mon capitaine,” said Lavigne. “You already dress the part, and I believe Monsieur le Marquis will be very pleased with the rum you will bring. You’ll have his ear in no time..! And we’ll be toasting to your health while you’re away.” At that point he noticed the sails weren’t taking the wind properly, so ordered the crewmen to pull on the main sail to ensure it was’t fagging in the wind.

Captain Lefanu smiled slightly at the compliment, though only said a brisk "keep her steady Monsieur Lavigne". Confidently leaving the First Mate to see to the rigging he retired to cool darkness of the cabin to update the ship's log.

---

Monday, February 9th, year of our Lord 1671 -- Seas Near Bridgetown

L'Enchantresse remains in open waters, plying her way towards Petit Goave. Today we had a memorable sighting of the Empress of the Waves and her infamous captain. Our vessels passed each other in the distance and raised a salute atop our masts.

I confess my surprise. I thought when we saw that great galleon we were done for unless we could escape on a lucky wind. Yet Nicholson chose not to attack. I can't help but wonder how he will act should we cross paths on the seas again? Mon Dieu let me not find out too soon!

On to Petit Goave, though as much I am looking forward to the celebrations and a purse of gold I hunger for news even more. Is war coming?

The Enchanteresse makes fine time, soon passing and leaving Basse Terre in its wake.

By noon you feel the ship change headings, presumably the ship had reached the seas near Petite Goave. Though you knew that it is too early to see land yet so far south of the Haitian coast, unfortunately the crew spotted something else which is causing a commotion on deck. Curious, you make your way to assess the situation personally...

From the chatter between the crew, they had sighted sails, but you quickly find Lavigne with his spy glass at his eyes.


OOC: Scouting roll again, please. :D

OOC: 03:22, Today: Secret Roll: Jean Lefanu failed (no successes) using 2d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 5 with rolls of 2,4.  Scouting

Uh oh...

If it's any consolation, I don't think it truly matters at present. The crew noticed a French frigate intercept another vessel, but they are now out of site. Your last move technically brings you within Petit Goave waters, but you lack the extra action to get into port, and not knowing where the French have headed, you cannot interfere for good or ill in the outcome.

So, unless you are spotted yourself... you should be ok to sail on your first turn. If two players make it to port roughly at the same time, I'm going to have to get creative... so expect a good natured race to the finish.

Jean lowers the spyglass slowly.

"We are too far off Monsieur Lavigne. Whatever is going on over there is in their hands - and God's. Keep a steady course for Petit Goave."

Though he tries to conceal any worries as strides across the deck Captain Lefanu had a suspicion he and the Enchantresse had been bystanders to something significant...

---

OOC: Well that sounds terribly reassuring! :)

Tuesday, February 10th, year of our Lord 1671 - Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras Ball - link to a message in this game

[Private to Jean Lefanu: Just figuring out what Kitty's next move will be, and if we'll need you to race.

Available for purchase in Petit Goave


1 crate cocoa beans, 3gp
1 crate rum, 2gp
1 crate rum, 2gp
1 crate tobacco, 3gp
1 crate bananas, 2gp or stolen jewelery to be smuggled to Trinidad
1 crate bananas

Long guns available as ship mods, allows to shoot before sea combat starts]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:36, Mon 14 Feb 2022.

>The Enchantresse cut across the blue waters towards the port of Petite Goave, her white buildings set against rising green hills. Even as Captain Lefanu was dreaming of a successful voyage and the celebrations to come with those crates of rum he realised there was a commotion amongst the crew on deck.

They had spotted a familiar sail.

Looking through his spyglass Jean hissed in disbelief. The Merry Widow! From the trim of her sails it was clear she was making all speed for Petite Goave, which almost certainly meant she too had a hold full of rum for Mardi Gras.

"Monsieur Lavinge, Monsieur MacGann all hands on deck and work the sails - I don't want to be beaten by a flute!"

"Oui Mon Capitaine!"

Jean took the wheel himself, trying to steer the sloop to catch the wind, but there was no disguising the intent of the 'enemy', nor what Jean was forced to concede their skillful seamanship. As he watched the flute grew closer, her sails billowing in the favourable winds.

He was looking at the Merry Widow through his spyglass and saw a red-yellow flash and explosion of grey smoke moments before he heard the whistle of shot through the air. Seconds later and some of the chain shot actually struck the Enchantresse's main sail, tearing holes the size of apples in the white cloth.

Captain Lefanu had once known a bearded sailor of Flanders named Haddoque who could electrify the air with his creative swearing. Lefanu was not in that league but he still muttered a few ungentlemanly words beneath his breath before uttering orders to his crew to work the sails.

The strange 'duel' in which neither ship wanted to wound the other too much continued. A little shot was exchanged, always at the sails but there was far more in the way of threats and jeers as the hard worked crews tried their best to steal the wind from the opposition. Finally a last lucky shot from the Enchantresse's starboard cannon struck the Merry Widow's foresail and the flute began to slip behind.

As the sloop raced towards Petite Goave harbour and the crew cheered Captain Lefanu stood at the stern and raised his plumed hat towards the opposition. "A superb try Madame," he said and added too quietly for the crew to overhear: "and far too close a run for my liking!"

---

Pulling into harbour Captain Lefanu all but jumped off his ship in a race to find the  Governor's man and hand over the rum!

“Oh! What is this!? Ohhhh…. Very very good indeed, monsieur! Son excellence will be very happy indeed,” said the older man in a peruque and coat tails, “well, the sommelier will certainly breathe easier at the very least!” The gentleman took down Lefanu’s information, provided him with fifteen Louis d’or and a formal invitation to the festivities.


[Private to Jean Lefanu: Ooc, have given you 1xp, 15gp, and need to pick a benefit/rumours for you to investigate. I will be able to do this likely tomorrow, or Monday.]