Re: (TFT) Hirst Arts Melee/Wizard Arena

["maou_tsaou1@netzero.net" <maou_tsaou1@netzero.net>]

Using a large Civilization map 119 squares n/s by 149 e/w @ 4 squares per degree a towns location is n - 15 * 4 = civn and w - 59 * 4 = civw.

There are 41,252.96ish square degrees on a sphere.
Earth has a surface area of about 196,951,000ish square miles.
Roughly 4774.227 square miles per square degree on Earth.
That's 298.389 Section Township Range hexes, drawn like square hexes but using 16 sections (1 square mile per section).

Uhhhhh... I'd best leave actual sailing for later.
There's a nifty little ship list and seeing as I have wood, navel battles are like little sieges on floating castles.
Of course wind direction is affected by the weather...

Anyway, here's the six generations of this "Age" form the manual.
The age begins with the start of renascence Technology.
It ends with the advent of Nationalism (advanced kingdoms).



THE SILVER EMPIRE 1560-1600

INTRODUCTION -

The Spanish Empire reaches its peak in this era, both in Europe and in
the New World. The empire is built on mountains of silver bullion from
New Spain (Mexico) and Peru. This bullion finances Spain's imperial
glory, but also encourages misguided economic policies that will soon
ruin the country.

The secondary export from the Indies is hides of uncured leather.
Spanish colonial grandees prefer ranching large herds to managing
farms and plantations. Ranches are equivalent to the property noblemen
own in old Spain.

Holland, a province of this far-flung empire, begins its revolt
against Spanish rule into the 1560s. England, ruled by Elizabeth I
(1558-1603) develops an anti-Spanish policy as well. France had been
and will remain consistently anti-Spanish, surrounded as it is by
Habsburg territory (the Habsburg family controlled the Austria and
Spanish thrones, whose territory included a considerably amount of
Italy as well).

Spain in this era is the only European nation with large, populous
colonies in the New World. With the exception of one abortive venture
at St. Augustine, the other European powers have nothing more than
temporary anchorages and tent towns, casual bases for privateering and
smuggling that appear and disappear with the season.


CITIES & TRADE -

Spanish Colonies:

Cartagena, Panama, Santiago, and Santo Domingo are the great and
powerful cities of the Spanish Main. All except Panama have impressive
fortifications, and all have large military garrisons. Prices for
everything are high here; European goods are in especially high demand
but Spanish trade laws are firmly enforced. San Juan (on Puerto Rico)
is very nearly as large as the major cities.

Havana is a growing port that during this era becomes one of the new,
great cities of the region. The increasingly frequent stops by the
treasure fleet boost Havana's economy. Vera Cruz and Nombre de Dios
are unhealthy cities that are only populous and wealthy when the
annual fleet is in. At that time vast wealth from Peru (to Panama) and
New Spain (to Vera Cruz) is being loaded onto the ships.

Larger, politically important cities with a craving for European goods
include Campeche, Cumana and Maracaibo.

The towns in economic difficulties, and therefore more likely to trade
with foreigners, include all ports on underdeveloped Jamaica and
Hispaniola (except the capital Santo Domingo), and the lesser ports of
the Main, such as Santa Marta, Gibraltar, Coro, Puerto Cabello and
Margarita, although the last is rich only from its declining pearl
fisheries. The inland capitals of Villa Hermosa and Gran Granada are
still economically weak. Both were in the front lines of Spanish
conquest just a few years previously.

Trinidad is tiny, but already beginning its unique role as a
transshipment point between Atlantic carriers and local Caribbean
trade, an activity illegal by Spanish law, but nonetheless profitable.
Smugglers find a ready supply of cheap European trade goods, and good
market for selling hides.

Other Colonies:

The only non-Spanish colony is the new French one at St Augustine (in
Florida). A few additional French and English privateering bases exist
in the Florida Keys and Bahamas. These have an erratic population and
uncertain wealth. No agriculture exists, so food supplies are
uncertain.

The only official colonial governor of either nation exists at St.
Augustine. Unless other colonies grow or change colors, be sure to
remain friendly with the French here. All non-Spanish promotions,
titles, and land must come from him.


PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS -

A successful career in this period requires exceptional skill and
guile. All the major ports are Spanish controlled, forcing one to
either trade with them (as Hawkins tried), or to capture them by
assault (Drake's method). Trading eventually improves the economic
status of the towns, making them more likely to obey Spanish laws and
shut you out! Conquest is difficult, especially against well-populated
cities, and often is undone by a Spanish counterattack.  Furthermore,
once you initiate warlike actions and the Spanish become hostile, you
must wait for a "Pirate Amnesty" before attempting a trading strategy
once more.

You must husband your crew carefully. Avoid dividing up the plunder
for as long as possible. Recruiting new crewmen can be extremely
difficult.

The English Seahawk:

With solid backing from your monarch, you have a powerful and flexible
force. This is fortunate, since you'll need to find quick profits to
enlarge your tiny coffers.

The French Corsair:

Your small, fore-and-aft rigged craft is no match for a well-armed war
galleon. If you encounter men of good reputation or high rank,
discretion is definitely the better part of valor. Even if you survive
the encounter, your crew may be so depleted that recruiting
replacements may take months.

The Spanish Renegade:

You start in a regrettably weak position, and must take risks at
almost every turn to improve your fortunes. This is not the life for
the fainthearted!



MERCHANTS & SMUGGLERS 1600-1620

INTRODUCTION -

After the 1590s the Spanish Empire begins a slow slide into decay and
chaos, both militarily and economically. Misguided economic policies
combined with a shortsighted aristocracy, redoubled by a powerful and
restrictive church, will doom Spain for centuries to come.

In the Americas, expensive fortifications and garrisons have
increased, but silver shipments and Spanish-owned merchant ships are
fewer. Most astoundingly, the empire in America is literally an empty
one. Diseases brought by Europeans to the New World have inflicted a
century of horrifying plagues. The Caribbean basin has been
depopulated. In New Spain (Mexico) the Indian population plunges from
25 million in 1500 (before the conquest) to less than 2 million in
1600.  Food supplies are short for lack of farmers, and mine output
falls for lack of workers. Spaniards in New Spain totaling more than
100,000 by 1600. Worse, virtually no Spaniards are productive members
of society - they expect to live a grandiose live, with slaves and
Indian peons serving them. The same pattern repeats throughout the
Caribbean and along the Spanish Main.

Conversely, England and France are growing, vital nations. In this era
both have new kings who seek peaceful relations with Spain. Although
this reduces the opportunity for privateering and piracy, neither
monarch discourages colonization. The reputation of riches, pleasant
climate, and emptiness of the Americas all beckon. A miscellaneous
assortment of Frenchmen and Englishmen start new colonial ventures.

The Netherlands, after decades of rebellion against Spain, are
virtually victorious. More amazing, Holland is an economic miracle.
Out of war, peaceful and profitable enterprises spring. With new ship
designs (the Fluyt), joint- stock companies, and the twelve years
truce, Dutch commercial interests are exploding world-wide. However,
at this time the big Dutch companies are mainly interested in
Indonesia and Asia, leaving the West Indies to smaller operators.


CITIES & TRADE -

Spanish Colonies:

The cities of Cartagena, Havana, Panama, Santo Domingo and Santiago
are the capital cities of the West Indies. Each is populous, rich,
well fortified, heavily garrisoned and intolerant of foreigners. Here
tobacco and European goods command premium prices.

Puerto Bello has replaced Nombre de Dios as Panama's Caribbean port
for the Silver Train and Treasure Fleet. Vera Cruz continues to serve
the vast inland areas of New Spain. Both cities are still unhealthy,
which limits their growth and economic success.

The majority of the Spanish Main and inland Central America is now
economically viable. The smaller towns of the Main frequently grow
tobacco and welcome smugglers. The hinterlands of Hispaniola are
another area where tobacco smugglers are welcome.

Trinidad is in its heyday as a wide-open smuggler's port. Local
Caribbean smugglers can sell their tobacco for decent prices, then buy
European goods from Atlantic traders in reasonable quantities. The
Spanish governor, without harbor forts and served by a laughably small
garrison, can do little but take lucrative bribes and look the other
way.

English Colonies:

Early colonies exist on St. Lucia and Grenada, although both are at
considerable risk from the cannibalistic Caribe Indians. Both need
regular imports of food. No large tobacco plantations or organized
defense exist yet.

French Colonies:

No French colonies exist, but old privateering anchorages with small
"tent camp" towns can be found in the Bahamas. Here there is no local
agriculture.  Food costs are dear, precious little is available to
supply a ship.

Dutch Colonies:

Although Dutch fluyts are common traders in these waters, no Dutch
ports ("factories") exist. This is because the moneyed interests in
the Netherlands are busy financing colonial ventures in the East
Indies (notably Indonesia).  The Dutch spend most of their time
trading in smuggled goods with the smaller Spanish colonies. Trinidad
is their unofficial home port in the New World.


PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS -

Difficulties in this era are similar to the 1560 period. Furthermore,
Europe is tending toward peach, dimming the prospect for privateering
profits. With the dearth of friendly ports and peach in the offing,
you should seriously consider searching for friendly Spanish ports and
smuggling goods between them and Trinidad, with occasional trips to
the new English colonies or the old French privateering anchorages to
the north.

The English Explorer:

The situation and strategies for this era are not unlike those of the
previous decades. Do you settle into a life of peaceful trade and
smuggling, or do you seek out a war and go on privateering
expeditions?  Your large crew suggests privateering, but the capacious
merchantman with its sluggish sailing qualities and weak armament
makes trading attractive too.

The French Adventurer:

Your ship and crew are will suited to privateering. However, the lack
of strong, friendly ports is a serious handicap when recruiting men or
selling captured goods. Conquering a few Spanish ports and installing
friendly administrations should be a high priority.

The Dutch Trader:

Your ship is admirably suited to mercantile endeavor, but sluggish and
underarmed for battle. While trading keep the crew under twenty (but
not below eight, as that's the minimum to operate a ship). Pay them
off and recruit new ones periodically to keep morale high. Use
Trinidad as a base and experiment at various Spanish cities. Discover
which governors are tolerant, and which will open fire. Privateering
against the Spanish is tricky business - and you will lose trading
privileges until Spain offers an Amnesty.

The Spanish Renegade:

The renegade's life, never easy, is quite difficult in this era. Only
the most courageous should undertake this course.



THE NEW COLONISTS 1620-1640

INTRODUCTION -

Europe is ablaze with a new and bloody war between Protestant and
Catholic (the Thirty Years War). The decay of Spain's American empire
continues. Towns and cities are financially weaker, with fewer troops
than ever. The economy and culture is stagnant. Spanish ranches,
plantations and mines are increasingly dependent on slave labor
imported from Africa.

Holland is now the world's leader in mercantile shipping. Dutch
companies finally turn their attention to the West Indies. The renewed
war with Spain offers many opportunities for the large join-stock
companies to finance military expeditions against the Spanish. The old
English and French privateering anchorages swarm with Dutch warships.

In England a new round of colonial ventures is fueled by declining
economic opportunity and growing intolerance for radical Protestants
(such as the Puritans). After the demise of St Lucia and Grenada
colonies, and the near death of Virginia, new and stronger colonies
are being founded. These colonies will persevere.

France, in the grip of Cardinal Richelieu, is slipping once more into
civil war between the Protestant Huguenots and the Catholic
government. Throughout the 1620s French Huguenots flee France and
found colonies in the New World.  Then, in the 1630s, France enters
the cataclysm in Germany: The Thirty Years War.


CITIES & TRADE -

Spanish Colonies:

The cities of Cartagena, Havana, and Panama remain the capital cities
of the West Indies. Santiago and Santo Domingo, the old capitals, have
declined to a secondary position, though each is still rich by
American standards.

Many cities on the Main are economically viable, but few are
prosperous.  Tobacco is a cheap export crop at some towns. The more
backward towns in the hinterlands of Jamaica and Hispaniola are
primarily victualing and watering ports.

Trinidad remains a popular smuggling port where European goods are
plentiful and fairly cheap, having come across on Trans-Atlantic
traders, while good prices are paid for tobacco. However, this port is
being overshadowed by the new English colonies to the north.

English Colonies:

Barbados, the first successful English colony in the West Indies, is
growing fast. Increasingly, English ships use it as their home port in
the Caribbean.  As at Trinidad, merchants serving the Trans-Atlantic
trade will pay good prices for tobacco. The colony on Nevis is newer
and smaller. The new venture on Providence island off the Mosquito
Coast, deep in the heart of the Spanish Empire, is the premier base
for privateers and pirates raiding the Main.

French Colonies:

On the shared island of St Christophe (St. Kitts to the English), the
French have the upper hand. This colony is largely Catholic, while the
unofficial but growing presence in northeast Hispaniola is largely
Protestant. These enterprising Huguenots have already claimed Tortuga
off the coast, as well as establishing Petit Groave.

Dutch Colonies:

Fully fledged Dutch colonies are sparse. Along with the traditional
Bahaman and Floridine privateering anchorages, the Dutch have begun a
"factory" (trading town) on an island positioned right in the center
of the Spanish Main: Curacao.


PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS -

The new colonial ports are a godsend to privateers, who now have legal
employ thanks to renewed warfare in Europe. Pinnaces and Baraques with
piratical intent are everywhere in the Caribbean. Spanish strength
continues to wane, especially at sea. A well outfitted force can even
attempt to capture the Treasure Fleet on the high seas.

Still, one must watch political developments closely. Spain is quite
capable of mounting periodic counterattacks to wipe out intrusive
colonies or troublesome privateer bases.

The English Adventurer:

Don't be shy about privateering against the Spanish. After building
your reputation, fortune, and fleet you can venture ashore and try
your hand at plundering the smaller towns and cities. Opportunities
about for a man of boldness.

The French Huguenot:

Your Barque is a handy vessel for the Caribbean, and well suited to
privateering against Catholic Spain and its hated Inquisition. Tortuga
and Petit Goave are ideal bases, deep in Spanish territory and only a
short sail from the Florida Channel and its yearly treasure fleet.

The Dutch Privateer:

you have a very powerful force, but there is  a lack of Dutch bases.
Therefore, cultivate friendship with the French and English
(regardless of your government's opinion, if possible). Can you
duplicate Piet Heyn' feat of 1628 and capture the Spanish treasure
fleet?

The Spanish Renegade:

As in 1560 and 1600, the life of a renegade is unenviable, but
conditions are somewhat improved. The non-Spanish colonies are few, so
it's wise to remain friendly with England, France and Holland.



WAR FOR PROFIT 1640-1660

INTRODUCTION -

In Holland, Germany and France the last great religious war of Europe
(the Thirty Years War), begun in 1618, is degenerating into famine,
plague and starvation across a landscape of ruins. England, having
avoided European disasters, is on the brink of its own ruinous civil
war that will result in a short but brutal military dictatorship by
Oliver Cromwell and his Protestant armies. Of all the European
nations, Spain is the worst position. Economic and political
conditions in he homeland are so bad that provinces are revolting
against a bankrupt and ineffective government.

Disasters in Europe breed new opportunities in the West Indies. Spain
colonies are at their military and economic nadir. Freebooters and
privateers, experienced from the European conflicts, can pillage and
plunder the helpless Spanish with ease, and with precious little
interference from European governments. Non-Spanish colonies are
growing everywhere, fueled by boatloads of refugees. While some settle
into the plantation economy, others take to the buccaneering life.
Meanwhile, the crafty Dutch are making a fortune by carrying the trade
goods among these new colonies. Peaceful trading may not be as
profitable as privateering, but it's a safer business.


CITIES & TRADE -

Spanish Colonies:

The richest Spanish cities remain the great capitals of the region:
Panama, Cartagena, Havana, and Santiago. These continue to have
wealthy economies and high prices. San Juan and Santo Domingo are
prospering, but remain populated by old, aristocratic families with
expensive tastes. Both cities are will fortified and garrisoned. All
other Spanish cities are barely prospering, if that. Towns in the
hinterlands are on the verge of disappearing under the tidal wave of
immigration from England, France and Holland.

English Colonies:

Barbados is the unofficial capital of the English West Indies. It is a
traders dream. European goods are freely available, sugar sells for
premium prices, and the local merchants are wealthy and well-stocked.
The colonies on St. Kitts and Nevis are economically strong and well
populated while Antigua, Montserrat, Bermuda, and Eleuthera are newer,
smaller colonies with little population, low prices, and tiny
warehouses.

French Colonies:

Guadeloupe and Martinique are the major colonies in the Caribbee
Islands (Lesser Antilles). However, all eyes are drawn to that well
fortified haven of privateers, buccaneers and outright pirates:
Tortuga. Already this name inspires terror. Mainland Hispaniola French
colonies are developing slowly at Petit Goave. French privateers still
use anchorages in the Florida Keys to plunder Spaniards in the Florida
Channel, as well to descend upon the north coast of Cuba.

Dutch Colonies:

Curacao is the Dutch equivalent of Barbados. This large, rich,
well-defended free port offers good prices for sugar and sells
quantities of European goods in return. A second international free
port is developing at St Eustatius, while sleepy St. Martin is a
placid place for sugar planters and other peaceful fellows.


PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS -

Opportunities abound and success awaits. Spain is almost always at war
with somebody, and not uncommonly with everybody! Since Spanish
military power is a joke, the opportunities for privateering and
outright plunder are legion.  After a rich cruise against the hapless
Spanish, no voyage is complete without a wild party at Tortuga,
Barbados, or Curacao.

The English Adventure:

As a privateer, everything is in your favor. A plethora of friendly
English colonies are ready and willing to buy your plundered goods,
while the taverns are brimming with sailors seeking a berth with a
successful Captain. Smiling governors will shake your hand and bestow
land and honor for your efforts.  Isn't life grand?

The French Privateer:

Privateering is a growth industry with great profits for the French,
as with the English. Tortuga is the ideal base for such activities,
sitting between Santo Domingo, the great cities of Cuba, and the rich
fleets passing outbound through the Florida Channel. Down a pleasant
beam reach to the south lies the heartland of the Spanish Main and the
usually friendly port of Curcao.

The Dutch Trader:

Tired of war, many Dutchmen prefer the peaceful role of trading. The
new and growing French and English colonies offer many opportunities
to a savvy merchant. Trade routes between the large, rich colonies and
the new, small ones yield easy profits. One can also trade with the
poorer Spanish cities, who have cheap sugar and food that sells for
premier prices on Curaca or Barbados.  Of course, the lure of
privateering for the English or French remains strong!

The Spanish Renegade:

This is one of the two eras (the other is 1660) where the life of a
renegade can be fairly pleasant. Raiding the Spanish is a rewarding
occupation, war or no war.



THE BUCCANEER HEROES 1660-1680

INTRODUCTION -

The military decline of the Spanish Empire continues when senile King
Phillip IV is succeeded by the lax and inept regency for Charles
(Carlos) II, who in 1665 becomes King at age four. Although Spanish
America is left without military protection, bureaucratic interference
in its economic affairs diminishes also. This, combined with renewed
output form the silver mines, starts an upswing in the
Spanish-American economy.

England, France and Holland are now strong colonial powers. Jealous of
Holland's commercial success, England begins economic war against
Holland with the Navigation Act (1651) and the Staple Act (1663),
legislating trade limits that would ruin the free-trade Dutch
merchants. This causes three shooting wars within twenty years.
Meanwhile, Louis XIV has finally taken control of France with the
death of Cardinal Mazarin in 1661. The "Sun King's" aggressive foreign
policy sparks almost constant warfare with England, Holland, and Spain
as frequent opponents. In short, Europe is a dogfight of international
intrigue and warfare, with enemies and allies changing as frequently
as partners in a court dance.

In the Caribbean, governors face new threats from all directions. St.
Eustatius changes hands ten times between 1664 and 1674. The home
governments provide virtually no military forces, so the governors ask
buccaneers, privateers and pirates to guard their colony and carry the
fight to the enemy.  These sensible, profit-oriented warriors are
often difficult to control.


CITIES AND TRADE -

Spanish Colonies:

Panama, Havana, and Cartagena endure as the three greatest Spanish
cities, rich, well fortified, and well garrisoned. Still sizeable but
of declining importance are Santiago, Santo Domingo, and San Juan. The
remaining Spanish towns are beginning to prosper again, but are so
weak militarily that all are prey to buccaneers and pirates.

English Colonies:

Barbados remains the great English colony, with St. Kitts close
behind.  Captured from Spain in 1655, Jamaica is the home of Port
Royale, the new English buccaneer haven in the midst of the Spanish
empire, only a short voyage downwind from the French colonies on
Hispaniola.

French Colonies:

In the Caribbee Islands (Lesser Antilles) Guadeloupe and Martinique
are the main bastions of French power, while around western Hispaniola
Tortuga, Port- de-Paix, Petit Goave, and Leogane are buccaneering
strongholds amid the growing wealth of French sugar plantations.

Dutch Colonies:

Curacao remains the premier Dutch colony and one of the greatest free
ports in the world. St. Eustatius almost surpasses it, but conquest
and reconquest by numerous expeditions has damaged its economy.


PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS -

This era is sometimes called the "Golden Age of Buccaneering". There's
plenty of warfare to legalize your actions, and a plethora of rich
Spanish and non-Spanish ports to either raid or use as bases, as you
prefer. Because of her military weakness, Spain's ships and towns are
the popular target for buccaneers and pirates of all nationalities.

The English Buccaneer:

Port Royale makes an excellent base of operations, while Barbados is
still the best place to dispose of large amounts of loot at a very
good price. The main disadvantage of Port Royale is that recruiting a
good crew often requires side-trips to the French buccaneer towns on
Hispaniola, while a base in the Caribbees give you access to many
English ports for quick, easy recruiting.

The French Buccaneer:

Privateer or pirate, it is wise to leave one or two nations alone, so
you have potential trading partners in case an unexpected peace breaks
out. You'll find recruiting especially easy in the vicinity of
Hispaniola, with four separate French buccaneer ports within a short
sail.

The Dutch Adventurer:

Dutchmen of this period weren't shy about offering their services to
other nations, and were always looking for the main chance - a venture
with profit, be it peaceful or warlike. Don't ignore the excellent
prospects for peaceful trade. Above all, remember that Barbados and
Curaca are two richest ports in non-Spanish America, good fore either
trading or selling a looted cargo.

The Spanish Renegade:

Although a renegade's life is never easy, this era is a bright spot on
a dark sea of danger. Privateering or piracy against Spain is, of
course, the recommended course.



PIRATES' SUNSET 1680-1700

INTRODUCTION -

Europe is as full as ever of tumult and warfare, rapidly shifting
alliances and strange political bedfellows. But the depredations of
the buccaneers in the Americas have taught politicians and military
men a lesson. Warriors who fight for profit can ruin the local
economy. Meanwhile, nations have bigger and more powerful fleets and
armies, big enough so troops can be spared for important colonies in
the West Indies.

All this spells the doom of privateering and the buccaneers. Spain may
be ruled by a deformed idiot (the unhappy product of excessive
intermarriage by the Habsburgs), but despite this the pirates
disappear, chased from the seas by an English naval squadron based in
Port Royale. Letters of Marque are harder and harder to get.
Buccaneers of all nationalities flock to the French flag in 1684 when
it offers Letters of Marque again.

Economically, this is an era of rising wealth and trade for all
nations in the Caribbean. Although some piracy remain, the road to the
future is one of peaceful trade and smuggling.


CITIES & TRADE -

Spanish Colonies:

Havana, Panama, Cartagena, and Santiago are still important cities,
despite the raids and misfortunes of the last century. Caracas has
risen to prominence as the main harbor serving inland Terra Firma
(South America), while Santo Domingo and San Juan have slipped to a
second rank, isolated among the growing French and English island
wealth.

English Colonies:

Port Royale, Barbados, and St. Kitts are the great English ports, with
the other English Caribbees sound and healthy trading posts. The
Bahamas are the new colonial frontier. Nassau, for example, is a
wide-open pirate haven. A small English colony has even sprung up at
Belize in Honduras!

French Colonies:

The French colonial empire has not changed its shape greatly in two
decades.  Guadeloupe and Martinique remain the twin economic capitals,
now equal to the largest English ports. Tortuga is declining but the
Hispaniolan towns of Port-d-Paix, Petit Goave, and Leogane are all
thriving.

Dutch Colonies:

As with France, the shape of the Dutch dominions also is constant:
Curacao is the great free port, St. Eustatius is recovering from
wartime disasters and trying to live on trade with the recalcitrant
English nearby. St. Martin, the northerly satellite, continues to
expand quietly its plantation economy.


PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS -

Prospects in this era appear as good as the 1660s and 1670s. However
pirate- hunting warships appear more frequently, while the non-Spanish
ports are larger and better fortified. Indeed, the fairly equal
distribution of strong and weak ports throughout the Caribbean means
the prospects for trading are the best in fifty years. If you do
pursue a bellicose path, take advantage of pirate amnesties when
offered, so you are prepared for a sudden outbreak of peace.

The English Pirate:

Well, mate ye always wanted a life of piracy. Try it on for size now!
Novices are encouraged to try a voyage or two in the 1660s first, to
get the feel of privateering, before embarking on a career of high
seas crime. Beware the navy pirate hunters!

The French Buccaneer:

Privateering commissions are legally available still. Take advantage
of them to raid the Spanish. Of course, it pays to beware of the Costa
Guarda pirate hunters.

The Dutch Adventurer:

As a peace-loving free-trade Dutchman, you should think long on the
advantages of trading and smuggling. Dutch ports are few, and although
England and France have laws prohibiting trade with you, in reality
the laws are ignored. Even the Spanish can be coaxed into trading more
often than not. Of course, some of your compatriots made their
reputation by sailing as privateers for France. In fact, two admirals
of the French privateers in 1685 are Dutchmen!

The Spanish Costa Guarda:

Now that the English and French colonies are as rich as the Spanish,
it's only appropriate that they taste some of their own medicine! The
only difficulty is evading those French, English and Dutch warships
that so inconveniently clutter up the seascape.





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