"You are a young small shopkeeper from a rich Luebeck family. Your private tutor gave you a good comprehensive education, which even at that time anticipated the enlightening spirit of the renaissance. The world to which you are going is marked by deep religiousness and a sailor's superstitious belief in the ship's kobold. Will you make it as a competent trader in this world, as your father before you?"
As a special feature of this campaign, the ship crews are prone to superstitions. Frequent ghost ship sightings and kobold rumors will sometimes cause mutinies, and in some cases the crew will even jump ship altogether.
Walkthrough
Good luck! |
The campaign starts with a letter from your father, who wants you to achieve the rank of trader (which in this case means Merchant).
Gone |
Your father sends you another letter, warning you about the ghost ship "Flying Trader" and the Kobold.
Illness |
Joy and sorrow |
Long Distance Merchant |
Your father sends you 50,000, and gives you the task of becoming a long distance merchant (Travelling Merchant). Once you achieve that rank, he will tell you a secret he has been keeping for many years.
Marriage |
Your father offers you some advice on getting married, which is beneficial to your reputation and may even make the Kobold show you mercy.
Worries |
Your servant Karl informs you that your father's state of mind is becoming worse. He is having more nightmares than usual, refuses to leave the house or let anyone but the priest in. Karl urges you to hurry and become a long distance merchant before your father's condition becomes even worse.
Father's Death |
Nightmares |
Sympathy |
The Helmsman |
Karl has found the name and address of your father's colleague. His name is Jacob Blank, also known as The Helmsman, and you should look for him in Riga.
Confidential information |
The Mayor of Riga responds to your inquiries about Jacob Blank. Apparently there's some shady history surrounding this character, and all relevant information is confidential. If you want to find out more, you will have to become a councillor, as well as earn a certain reputation in Riga.
Inquiry |
As soon as you are promoted to the rank of Councillor, the Mayor of Riga informs you that Jacob Blank was exiled from all Hansa towns for many offences. His last known whereabouts is Edinburgh, which is where you need to look next.
Good Advice |
Vanderdeeken sends you a message and warns you to stop digging into your father's affairs.
Dubious assistance |
A suspicious character in Edinburgh tells you that Jacob Blank is hiding among the less reputable townsfolk. He claims that the information you need will become available once you gain enough reputation in the underworld.
You can achieve that by doing illegal actions, such as hiring pirates in the tavern, plundering ships and raiding towns as a pirate yourself. You can see what your underworld reputation is in your Trading Office (only a small increase is needed for this mission).
Hideout |
As soon as your underworld reputation improves, you will receive the name of the town where Jacob Blank is hiding.
Jacob Blank |
When you arrive in Stettin, Jacob Blank gets in touch with you. Blank promises to tell you everything he knows about the "Flying Trader", but first you must take him to Luebeck on one of your ships.
Estate |
Generous |
Journey home |
Jacob Blank asks you to take him back to Stettin, where he'll tell you everything about the "Flying Trader" and the curse that afflicted your father.
Devil's Ship |
Encounter |
Blank tells you about the terrible fate of the "Dawn Greeting", and promises to give you a map of its last known location if you can get a ship that can be used as a warship.
Destruction |
As you prepare a warship, Stettin is struck by a series of disasters. Blank blames himself for the misfortune of the town, believing it happened because he talked about his escape from the "Flying Trader". He will not talk to you until Stettin is rebuilt. You have to increase the population of Stettin to 3500.
Sorry figure |
Vanderdeeken is once again tells you that your efforts are futile. He blames Blank for the disasters of Stettin.
Rescue |
Your success in rebuilding Stettin has impressed Blank. He promises once again to tell you where the "Flying Trader" can be found, as soon as you have a warship. When you fulfill that requirement, you receive a map.
Musty Old Hulk |
Relief |
Blank feels relieved after learning that you survived the encounter with the ghost ship, believing you broke the curse. He gives you his blessings, hoping that you will become mayor in Bremen, and put Vanderdeeken in his place.
Now you have to plan your move to Bremen. Build a trading office there, if you haven't already. As soon as you have enough gold for the journey, click "move" in the office menu.
Mayor |
Your servant Karl congratulates you, and tells you that your plans to become mayor of Bremen have become known throughout the Hanse, and many citizens are supporting you.
Warning |
Vanderdeeken has heard of your plans, and sent you another pompous warning.
Legacy |
Jacob Blank dies, and you are his sole heir. You receive 500,000.
Honesty |
As you progress up the ranks of Bremen, Vanderdeeken sends you another ominous message, asserting that your fortune may have been acquired through illegal means.
Post |
Guilt |
Vanderdeeken |
Ghost ship
These events are randomly appearing during the campaign, and can affect the morale of a ship's crew.
Ghost ship |
Ghost ship |
Kobold
These events are randomly appearing during the campaign, and can affect the morale of a ship's crew.
Myth |
Honesty |
Myth |
Anxiety |
Landlubbers |