[X] Shadow them but do not engage: You're supposed to watch the harbor. Trying to chase a small ship into the guns of the forts is asking for trouble that you don't want. Better to simply watch and wait and see what comes of this.
[X] Tally ho!: Give chase! The break in the patrol and the chance of a prize will fire up the crew. And yourself, if you're honest.
Your decision is the work of a moment (and the one your officers and men are no doubt hoping for). Snapping shut your glass, you nod to Miss Eusoneus from your position near the bow.
"Lieutenant Eusoneus, clear the decks for action if you please. Put us on an intercept course." Sofia's lips curl into a grin and she turns to relay your orders to across the deck of the small ship. Soon you hear the roll of the drum beating the men to their stations and the clatter and sound of the ship preparing for the possibility of action. Sailors swarm up the rigging and as more sail is put on you feel the Dolphin surge forward through the rolling sea, white water breaking over her bowspirit. You laugh as spray soaks you, not minding the chill for the moment.
Yes. This is what it means to live. You rest your hand on the railing and wait, watching as your ship moves to close down the distance. With the sharp wind coming down from the north, your prey has the wind behind her while your attempt to intercept her puts the wind abeam of the Dolphin.
You maneuver your ship expertly to take every breath of the stiff northern breeze you can manage. As you come hurtling across the waves you begin to close the distance with rapidity and you have the feeling that you'll be able to overhaul the little cutter within a few hours. Soon, you're close enough to begin making out details your spyglass and as you watch, the crew of the cutter begins to shove their cannon over the side--they're trying to run, pulling the same trick that you had before. That might be enough to save them, if they have some luck.
And it seems it might just be enough. You're edging into the far reaches of your gun's range as the little ship seems to pick up a surge of speed and jumps forward, threatening to escape your trap as you hurry on to try and cut them off from their port. You haven't managed to gain any further distance on them, but nor do they seem to be getting further away--the two of you seem to be evenly matched at this point. The question is, do you have enough time to run them down now before the shore guns can start hitting your ship? Through your glass, you can see signal flags running up the masts and have a feeling there are answering signals from the forts overlooking the entrance of the harbor...
[ ] All or nothing: You won't let this chance escape you. There might be valuable intelligence or someone important on that ship. You'll chase them down and bring them to heel or you'll eat your hat (which you don't want to do because it is a very nice hat. [ ] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort. [ ] Discretion is the better part of valor: You've done what you can--at this point it would be foolish to try and chase her much further since the cutter is making good headway and you might find yourself outgunned or perhaps even outnumbered if anyone decides to come out of the harbor to try and make trouble for you.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
[X] All or nothing: You won't let this chance escape you. There might be valuable intelligence or someone important on that ship. You'll chase them down and bring them to heel or you'll eat your hat (which you don't want to do because it is a very nice hat.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
We do have a duty to return to, after all
[X] Discretion is the better part of valor: You've done what you can--at this point it would be foolish to try and chase her much further since the cutter is making good headway and you might find yourself outgunned or perhaps even outnumbered if anyone decides to come out of the harbor to try and make trouble for you.
[X] Discretion is the better part of valor:You've done what you can--at this point it would be foolish to try and chase her much further since the cutter is making good headway and you might find yourself outgunned or perhaps even outnumbered if anyone decides to come out of the harbor to try and make trouble for you.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
If we can get just a bit closer, would putting chain shot into their sails and rigging be reasonable? Or would that make taking the prize too difficult? I'm unsure whether the ship's value so vastly outweighs that of its cargo.
Unless we somehow lucked out and the cutter is carrying the enemy payroll, of course.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
I'm willing to try a little more before giving up.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
And this is 30, so the enemy vessel should have pulled away.
I suppose we can pretend the two cancelled out.
[x] All or nothing: You won't let this chance escape you. There might be valuable intelligence or someone important on that ship. You'll chase them down and bring them to heel or you'll eat your hat (which you don't want to do because it is a very nice hat.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
This is 36, so I think the success should have been 1 degree higher for more than 5 points difference... if I remember things right.
And this is 30, so the enemy vessel should have pulled away.
I suppose we can pretend the two cancelled out.
[x] All or nothing: You won't let this chance escape you. There might be valuable intelligence or someone important on that ship. You'll chase them down and bring them to heel or you'll eat your hat (which you don't want to do because it is a very nice hat.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
[X] One more effort: You have a couple of hours yet before they're safe--you can perhaps make one more chance at catching them, either by clever maneuvering or putting on even more sail. Either way, it's a risk that might damage the ship or bring you too close to shore, especially if there are enemy patrols lurking but it may be worth the effort.
