The La Bastide Gazette is an in-universe newspaper, articles of which can be collected as Archive Entries. The Gazette appears to be the official newspaper of the Compagnie Royale and as such is biased towards the Compagnie, with at least one company soldier (Captain Ignace Sardou) calling the paper a tabloid.
The Rise of Piracy[]
by Jean-Guy Choquet
Admiralty Office, June 27th, 1695
Governor Le Grand, having received from France his Majesty’s Proclaimation for suppressing Pyrates, due to an alarming increase in predations upon merchant ships, has delivered numerous Letters of Marque to employ Privateers to aid in the Compagnie Royale's campaign to rid the Indian Ocean of pyratical infestation.
Under commission of his Majesty, privateers have seized upon numerous pyrate vessels along the Coast of Africa. Widely known as the Pyrate Round, this trade route, from the American Colonies to the Red Isle, has seen an alarming increase in pyrate activity since the infamous sacking of Dutch merchant, The Schaduw.
Wide suspicion remains that the Red Isle is host to a secret pyrate den, serving as a staging point for predations. Reports continue to suggest large shipments of contraband are destined for the region. The Compagnie hopes to gain further intelligence on the whereabouts of the pyrate den.
11 February 1694[]
Cyril Le Corre
This week, pyrates and merchants alike have suffered considerable loss in the crossfire of the greatest civil war in the Red Isle. The bloody warfare between the Sea People and the Clan of Fara has once more hampered merchant routes and destroyed settlements. Tenina Town, one of the Sea People strongholds, has suffered tremendous loss according to Elder Tsalara.
"Half of our zebus were captured and most of our resources razed. The Fara have no honor. Their acts against the Sea People will never be forgiven!" the Elder reported.
However, many who sailed past Tenina Town are heartened to see help provided by the Kingpin of Sainte-Anne, John Scurlock. Within the hour, ships carrying emergency supplies and raw materials were sent to rebuild the settlement. With the aid of a wealthy patron, the Sea People might finally stand a chance against their long-time adversaries.
Proclamation for Apprehending Captain Uricko Freeman[]
DA. BEAUFORT. Cls. Sti. Concilii
By the Grace of the King of France, defender of the Kingdom, we are informed that the notorious Captain Uricko Freeman, with several other Rogues, did seize and abscond with Compagnie Ships, including the Dutch Merchant vessel, The Schaduw, and commit several Acts of Pyracy upon the high seas.
Captain Freeman, and Accomplices, are proclaimed Enemies of All Mankind. Having dispersed throughout the Indian Ocean, these Transgressors have eluded Punishment and Execution of law for their crimes against Civilization. Utmost diligence shall be used for apprehending said Pyrates and deliver them to the nearest Magistrate or Officer until further order be taken.
His Royal Majesty assures payment of Fifty Thousand Silver Coins for said Captain Freeman and one-fifth the sum for any Accomplice, which shall be faithfully Paid, and Indemnifying hereby all from Hazard or Injury that may be committed against said criminals.
Given on the 18th Day of January, 1691.
Per Actum Dominorum Secreti Concilii
Lanitra Found[]
Jean-Guy Choquet
April 11, 1691
The Honorable Sieur Legrand, Governor of the French Eastern Colonies, having received his Majesty's Proclamation to suppress pyracy in the Indian Ocean, has recently procured details on the location of Lanitra, the infamous pyrate den, through one (undisclosed) agent provocateur.
The Governor met his "most trusted source" at Guérande, where the secrets to Lanitra's location and defences were disclosed by the mysterious informant.
"I vow to bring swift justice to this elusive, godforsaken place, which has long scourged our merchant fleet," Legrand said.
Lanitra was once the staging point for the famous heist of the Schaduw - the Dutch galleon hijacked by one Captain Freeman, who eludes authorities to date.
Praised by the delusional as a "modern utopia," the den of rogues has fallen into ruination, according to reports, further proving the degeneracy of radical democratic ideas and, by contrast, the "supériorité" of the monarchy to establish stable commerce in the Indian Ocean.
The Plague of the Century[]
By Patrick Petit
A mysterious disease makes its way from the Caribbean, with casualties mounting in the thousands. Victims complain of convulsions, large boils exploding upon the skin, and violent bouts of the bloody flux.
Worst are the livestock – oxen, dogs, pigs – left to rot on the streets. With the morgues filled to the brim, the dead are tossed into large pits dug from the ground, or piled high and set ablase, with bonfires burning solemnly through the night.
“It’s the work of the devil, and those damn pirates,” a merchant lamented, having procured safe passage from Guyana before the DMC enforced a blockage on the settlement. “Pirates raid our homes and bring the plague with them. I had to leave my precious cabbages behind!”
Other colonists have not been as lucky. Are pirate rogues to blame for expediting the spread of disease? With their untethered greed and mad thirst for violence, surely the Indian Ocean will not be spared in the coming weeks.
Caradec’s Rise[]
Sterling Sailor Pokes Hole in Pyrate Operations
By Jean-Guy Choquet
It was a bloodbath. The Puissant stumbled upon an orgy of pyrates on Moyenne Crique and atrocities ensued. Our sailors held fast even as more of the devils emerged. However, a twist of infernal luck turned the tides.
A stray shot flew the hole in Seychelles Rock and struck the Puissant’s powder room. 20 sailors were turned to cinders with the Captain and Sailing Master among them. Fate had spurned our compatriots
It is a testament to the fortitude of these young mariners that none sunk into despair. Yet, bravery alone would not save them, these valiant hearts needed a pillar to rally around. Third Mate Caradec, who voice rose above the din of cannon fire, was unshakable.
The Puissant and her skeleton crew, led by Caradec, vanquished all foes and confiscated contraband. A ceremony at sea was conducted for the Compagnie lives lost.