Wako Trade Ship (TWS2 Unit)

Wako Trade Ship (TWS2 Unit)
Class	Trade Ship
Recruitment Cost	100
Upkeep Cost	100
Requires	-
Marines	10
Seamen	20
Hull Strength	150
Morale	11

Description

This vessel carries a crew of wako pirates who prey on smaller, weaker vessels while pretending to be innocent traders.

This is a trade ship in name only. In truth, it is used to close with unsuspecting merchants, allowing the crew to achieve a measure of surprise. Most merchants will be on guard against potential attacks, so the wako resort to such stratagems. Against large ships, however, they lack the firepower for battle, and the manoeuvrability to escape!

Historically, the wako plagued the Koreans and Chinese between the 13th and 16th century. There would be periods of inactivity, usually after a devastating attack on the pirates’ base had been a salutary lesson, but the wako would always be back. There was simply too much wealth to be stolen! In 1587, Toyotomi Hideyoshi decreed that peasants were not allowed to carry weapons, and in turn the wako found it harder to obtain arms. However, many were subsequently recruited by clans who needed their naval expertise.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Weak in combat but provide bountiful profit for a clan.