Kaptain Bilgewater and the Cleavermaws - Badlands Buccaneers

The Cleavermaws are Orc Pirates sailing out of the Badlands (see the map in the Orc & Goblin Army Book). They are allied with the Sartosa-based Ironfang Fleet but mostly cruise independently.

Da Cleavermaw itself is a hulking conglomeration of different wrecked and captured ships, cobbled together over many years from their victims and any old junk they could salvage. The prow and stern are completely mismatched and it rides the waves in an ungainly, awkward way. It looks like a dog, steers like a cow and smells like a slum. Luckily it also packs a punch like a prizefighter: it is equipped with mechanical contractions to grapple and board an enemy and vast amounts of heavy artillery.

Kaptain Bilgewater is quietly mad - he firmly believes he is a serving captain in the "Royal Sartosa Navy", rather than in a pirate fleet, under the command of "Admiral" Kurgan Grimjaw and serving the Prince of Sartosa.

He runs his crew on the lines of a formal national navy: ranks, discipline, rum-rations, attacking "enemy" vessels, and writing long tiresome written reports to the Admiral. He is also completely obsessed with closely examining the captured papers, maps, charts, orders, log books and letters - he has standing orders for the crew to gather them from captured ships. He hoards them in his cabin and, along with his clerk, pours over them for hours in the night making details notes and trying to fit them together or to make sense of them as a whole.

His crew know they are really pirates but they tend to go along with him as he always manages to find a good fight. Unlike most pirate crews the Cleavermaws don't seem very interested in gold or money, just materials that will enable their continued cruising and fighting. Anything they find aboard captured "prize" vessels that isn't immediately useful is sent back to Sartosa.

11th November, the year 13.
To Admiral Kurgan, Hogwasha, Sartosa

Sir,
It is my honour to inform you of the successful expedition on the island of Strumboli, off the coast of Tilea.

Pursuant to your orders to harass and disrupt enemy activity in the waters north of Sartosa known as the Pirate's Current I led a raiding party ashore with the intent of blowing up a Dwarven brewery located on the coastal cliffs. Knowing this would enrage and demoralise their land and sea forces it appeared to be a suitable target.

We engaged the defenders - the inebriated crew of the Grudgebreaker - and drove them back from the position. We set a charge of three barrels of black powder (marked as "Coarse Grain VII") in the foundation of the main building. After lighting a long-delay fuse we fell back to the boats and made for the ship. Mr Nud believes the rupture of the brewery's pressurised fermentation tanks may account for the unexpected level of destruction suffered by the brewhouse and the surrounding structures.

Your servant,
Kaptain Bilgewater, Cleavermaw, Pirate's Current

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The Orc crew split into three groups: The Orc redcoats, Mollroy and Mortog, on the heights of the right flank. Kaptain Bilgewater, Lieutenant Wail, Ledger Nud (Kaptain's clerk), his assistant Skribla and Zogger Slush in the centre. Mr Badrot and Mr Deadwood (mates), Oiler Tunn and Bosun Higgs on the left flank.







Opposite them the Dwarfs crew divided up - First mate Burlok 'Coghead' and a Quarreler on the far hill, the Dwarf Captain and five of his crew in the centre; including Snorri the cabin boy, Bosun Mudrin 'Ironchewer' and Chief Engineer Korin. The two Slayers ranged out on the left.

The slightly-worse-for-drink Dwarf Pirates made their way through a Fungus Forest while the Orcs formed up around an ancient Idol of Gork and used it as the rally-point to launch their attack, while the redcoats ineffectively exchanged fire with the crossbow-armed Dwarf.



In the centre melee Captain Gudrun 'Blackbeard' Kargason charged Mr Wail and one of the Dwarf crew took on Bilgewater - this was the fight that tipped the balance as the Black Orc Pirate killed his foe and went on a rampage into the Captain's flank, knocking him down in a hail of blows from his kutlass and pistol-butt.





On the left both the Slayers were laid low by the Black Orc Dogs of War and their mates.

That was enough for the Dwarfs and they withdrew. The butcher's bill was light for the Cleavermaws - only a Goblin and a couple of hands were injured.

~ + ~

A FINE Report with GLORIOUS photos & BEAUTIFUL minis...it brings back memories of the Luncheim Days. GREAT STUFF!  

Glorious report WbK! Good to see ye getting a game in now and again.

  

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Wortbad
12th November, the year 13.
To Admiral Kurgan, Hogwasha, Sartosa

Sir,
I give you joy of our victory.

We encountered the crew of the Irondrake, a crew of Manann devotees from the Empire while searching the necropolis of Wortbad. As soon as the first shots were exchanged it became clear that there was also a knot of Plague Toads active in the area.

We made a flag of parlay and, by means of several clever "ruse-de-guerre", we induced both to fight one another, while we took full advantage of the confusion and soundly beat them whenever they offered resistance.

Your obedient servant,
Kaptain Bilgewater, Cleavermaw, at sea.

~ + ~



The Cleavermaws, The Irondrakes and a knot of Plague Toady-Ogres all aimed to claim the most loot while trying not to get killed! Double-dealing, perfidious-payments and sneaky-stabbing ensued...

Turn 1
The Cleavermaws crept out from behind Morrswatch in two groups, while the Irondrakes marched across the farm land, strung out in a long line.
The Plague Toads squatted between them and menaced both.





Turn 2
Blossom, the Toady-Ogre Leader, charged at the Orc Pirates - Skribla the Goblin was flattened by the impact. Ledger Nud was right behind him and although both he and the Toad avoided each-other's blows a distraction by the Irondrakes tipped the fight in the Orc's favour. Blossom fled and the Orcs ran it down!





A Froglars was killed by the Irondrakes but no one was counting.



Turn 3
Bubbles, the second Toady-Ogre, ploughed into Shadow Wood but the fungus spores there made him slow-witted and he stayed there a little too long.

The Cleavermaws rounded on Buttercup, the third Toady-Ogre,





Turn 4
Mr Deadwood broke into the courtyard of Morrswatch and grabbed the loot that was stashed there while Mr Badrot assigned one of his party to stand guard over the loot by the Hero's Tomb.





Turn 5
Kaptain Bilgewater was routed by Buttercup but the other Pirates came to his aid and dealt with the putrescent beasty.







Lieutenant Wail ran from Bubbles while Leadger Nud and Double Barrel fought the second Froglar.



But he recovered his wits when Keel'Aul arrived to help him and they felled the horrible thing.



Turn 6
Bubbles was killed by the Irondrake captain in the Pumpkin Field after he came to his senses and finally emerged from Shadow Wood.





Zogger Slush and the redcoats looked on as Mr Badrot pursued the Irondrakes round a mausoleum.

Lieutenant Wail and his party charged the leading Irondrakes in the grounds of the Old Chapel and beat them back, taking possession of the loot in the graveyard in the process.





The final Scores:

The Plague Toads:
1 shilling, 4 pennies (35 VP )
No loot counters (0 VP )
Total = 35 VP



The Irondrakes:
2 crowns, 1 shilling, 5 pennies (90 VP )
3 loot counters (30 VP )
Total = 120 VP



The Cleavermaws:
2 crowns, 5 shillings, 3 pennies (140 VP )
3 loot counters (30 VP )
Total = 170 VP

EXCELLENT REPORT & OH-SO-COOL PHOTOS! That made getting up today worthwhile after all...mostly.  

Great report WbK! And a win too. Love the added element of the coins for VPs.

Thanks guys!

Von Kurst wrote:

Love the added element of the coins for VPs.

Along with the cards which you can glimpse in this report, they are from the "Triumph and Treachery" Warhammer supplement, which we were trying for the first time in this game. With just a very small tweak (the VP value of the coins and objectives) they worked amazingly well at this small scale.

18th November, the year 13.
To Admiral Kurgan, Hogwasha, Sartosa

Sir,
It is my unfortunate duty to inform you of an unsuccessful expedition to the island of Marittemo, in the waters off the western coast of Sartosa.

We were unable to capture the lighthouse on the island due to an encounter with a band of Dwarf Pirates - the very same crew from a week ago but this time very much sober and angered by our previous victory over them.

I attempted a pincer-attack with my Lieutenant, Mr Wail leading the right flanking party while I led the left. I can commend his actions to you in the highest terms; he received a severe injury in the engagement.

But have no doubt Sir, that pursuant to your orders we will return to the island and secure it with all possible expediency.

Your humble servant,
Kaptain Bilgewater, Cleavermaw, Pirate's Current

~ + ~

The Orc redcoats, Mollroy and Mortog, took the heights out of sight of the Grudgebreaker's First Mate, Burlok 'Coghead' and Boldrin 'Stonehand', Quarreler.

Kaptain Bilgewater, Ledger Nud (Kaptain's clerk), his Goblin assistant Skribla, Mr Deadwood (2nd mate), Oiler Tunn and Bosun Higgs in the left flank.

Lieutenant Wail, Mr Badrot (1st mate), Zogger Slush, Double Barrel and Keel'Aul on the right flank.





















The Grudgebreakers fell back and took up a defencive form a defensive formation, drawing the Orc Pirates forward. Some of the Dwarfs charged forward to meet the greenskins.











Both sides took heavy casualties but it was the loss of Lieutenant Jonah Wail that soundly tipped the tally in the Grudge breaker's favour.









The rival captains duelled for some time, the sound of cutlasses classing rang across the boggy island, but the Dwarfs had gained the upper-hand. When Gudrun pitched Bilgewater into the stream and he was washed away the rest of the Orcs abandoned the fight to chase after him.

Win or lose it was a FINE read with GREAT photos.  

Bilgewater in the stream? Has he been sold down the river? I was hoping for the new terrain piece to make an appearance since you were fighting over control of the lighthouse... Maybe another day.

29th November, the year 13.
To Admiral Kurgan, Hogwasha, Sartosa

Sir,
It is my unfortunate duty to inform you of a raid on the shantytown of the Merchants' Guild Emporium on the island of Motia, in the Stagnant Lagoon on the western coast of Sartosa, by the scurvy-riddled sea-dogs that call themselves the Grudgebreakers.

They were already pillaging the Merchants' property when we arrived at the island, we were delayed by the festing morass around it. (Please find attached the paper work from my Clerk containing my request for new purser's slops. My crew now stink most abominably - even more than usual.)

We attacked with all the expediency we could but the Dwarfs seemed to be waiting for us and counter attacked as soon as we entered the town square. My crew were driven back by the concentrated attack and forced to take to the boats.

But have no doubt Sir, that we will recover the goods that the Pirates looted from the Merchants and claim the head-money we are due.

Your humble servant,
Kaptain Bilgewater, Cleavermaw, Pirate's Current

~ + ~

Lies, lies, only lies!
Nothing else comes out of the pen of that thrice accursed sea-scum   

    

You'll have to wait for tomorrow for photos....


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16th December, the year 13.
To Admiral Kurgan, Hogwasha, Sartosa

Sir,
I give you joy of our victory!

Ledger Nud translated a letter we intercepted from Captain Gudrun to the Captain of the Irondrake, arranging a meeting to sell them the stolen loot from Motia. It suggested a meeting in the Osso Hills. We knew that they would have to cross the mountains in the pass just north of Ossomunte, so we laid a trap for them.

We not only knocked them all on the head, we also recovered the stolen goods and loaded them onto the Cleavermaw. I assure you Sir, that your 12% share will be unloaded in Vercuso when we reach port tomorrow evening.

Your obedient servant,
Kaptain Bilgewater, Cleavermaw, at sea.

~ + ~

The Cleavermaws had laid in wait for the Grudgebreakers in the only pass through the mountains. Mr Wail, Mr Deadwood and his division plus the Redcoats on the left flank behind a rocky arch and a low ridge. Kaptain Bilgewater, Mr Badrot and his division on the right behind a low hill.





The Dwarf Pirates advanced down the centre in two columns. The Orcs circled around behind them at hit the rear-most stragglers in the flanks. The Dwarfs had to make a choice of stopping to help their outnumbered shipmates or continuing their race for freedom and safety! Every combat delayed their escape but ignoring the Orcs' attacks mean their numbers were whittled down rapidly.







Two Orcs and the Goblin Scribe attacked Captain Gudrun. One orc fell straight away and Ledger Nud fled leaving Skribla alone. The valiant little grot dodged the Captain's rain of cutlass strikes for long enough that Kaptain Bilgewater and Mr Badrot caught up with him. The Kaptain flattened Gudrun and carried on through the column, taking out three more Dwarfs along the way.









He got to the head of the column, took down the final two Dwarfs and turned to see how the rest of the crew were fairing. The Orcs had long-since finished with the other Dwarf Pirates; they were just struggling to keep up with their Kaptain as he raced off alone.



~ + ~

COOL REPORT & WONDERFUL PHOTOS! Actually it reminded me of a Flintloque Battle Report for some reason or other.   

Excellent reports! I really enjoyed reading them and looking at the pictures! One question though, which rules do you use, Mordheim or Regiments of Renown?

Thanks guys!   

Vagabond wrote:

One question though, which rules do you use, Mordheim or Regiments of Renown?

We are using the Regiments of Renown rules - and we are loving them! (Though there is talk of a Mordheim campaign starting in the new year!!)


  

13th January, the year 14.
To Admiral Kurgan, Hogwasha, Sartosa

Sir,
It is my unfortunate duty to inform you of our unsuccessful engagement near Ragil, on the coast of the Bay of Wrecks, Sartosa, that took place on the 17th day of last month.

We had followed the fleeing Grudgebreakers to their rendezvous with their erstwhile allies the Irondrakes in the Bay of Wrecks, but once we were ashore an unexpected number of other interested parties were actively interfering - including a swarm of Plague Toads and a band of mercenary Ogres.

It's difficult to relate the exact sequence of events as it became increasingly difficult to trust any of the antagonists, or even make out what they were about, as the day progressed.

Suffice to say that events did not go our way but the Grudgebreakers did not win the day.

Your humble servant,
Kaptain Bilgewater, Cleavermaw, at sea.

~ + ~

OOOOOOH! COOL PHOTOS! All the Lads of various sorts & sizes look WONDERFUL...successful is another matter. GREAT STUFF!    

10th January, the year 14.
To Admiral Kurgan, Hogwasha, Sartosa

Sir,

Once more I am the bearer of bad tidings.

From captured papers we discovered the whereabouts of two stashes of buried contraband, in a clearing on the coast just north of Vercuso, and we managed to reach the site of one of them when the Grudgebreakers arrived to reclaim their loot.

The Dwarfs shot at us from one of the burial sites while the rest of their band advanced on the other. I sent the redcoats to high ground and I left a strong ambush party behind with them, under the command of my first officer, Mr Wail. I led the party of boarders with the intention of bypassing the Dwarfs' main force, taking out their crossbows and capturing their treasure.

Things did not go entirely to plan.

Your humble servant,
Kaptain Bilgewater, Cleavermaw, at sea.

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I have noticed, with the Green Lads, things seldom go as planned. SPLENDID REPORT & PHOTOS nonetheless!