Rules of engagement for the Grey Ships of Andoran concerning slaving ships

[Mikaze]

We know the Grey Fleet is given leave to seize or sink any slaving vessels they can, but what are the actual expectations? Is sinking a ship still carrying slaves, likely chained or caged with little hope of survival, really acceptable to the Grey Fleet's leadership at large? Sure, some might consider death a better fate than slavery, but they at least have a shot at freedom in the future if they get to live another day.

Curious after reading over the Andoran companion, and remembering that one copper dragon mentioned in Dragons Revisited that pulled a kamikaze on a slaving ship and killed everyone.

[Samnell]

Mikaze wrote:

We know the Grey Fleet is given leave to seize or sink any slaving vessels they can, but what are the actual expectations? Is sinking a ship still carrying slaves, likely chained or caged with little hope of survival, really acceptable to the Grey Fleet's leadership at large? Sure, some might consider death a better fate than slavery, but they at least have a shot at freedom in the future if they get to live another day.

I'm guessing that sinking the vessel is the least preferred option. If the Grey Fleet operates like the West Africa Squadron, which had its job in the real world, their rules of engagement might prohibit attacking a ship rigged for trade which does not appear to carry human cargo. Freed slaves would, presumably, be offloaded to somewhere they were not at risk to be re-enslaved. The British used Freetown in Sierra Leone, which was also a handy naval base for the effort. Andoran doesn't have that luxury, but it isn't so far-removed from the major trade route in question as the UK was. I don't have the Andoran book, but I'd imagine that freed slaves get free passage (probably on the slaver if it's still seaworthy) to home port. From there, they're probably on their own but might be referred to private aid societies to help them get back to their original homes or start over.

[Mikaze]

Samnell wrote:

I'm guessing that sinking the vessel is the least preferred option.

That's what I had assumed as well, but I'm curious as to when it even becomes an acceptable option for the Grey Fleet.

Also, thanks for the link! Interesting reading on a bit of history I've often overlooked!

edit-Hot damn, HMS Black Joke was a badass ship!

[Ernest Mueller]

Well, I think "sink or seize" may denote two things.

One, they take the ship, rescue the slaves, and sink it rather than take it along.

Two, slave ships only have slaves on them on one leg of their voyage. They're "safe to sink" if they're heading towards Garund.

I think it would be unusual that they would choose to sink a ship with slaves aboard except in specific extraordinary circumstances (that guy's sold a thousand slaves and will sell a thousand more if we don't sink him now).

[laraqua]

Considering their need for ships, you'd think they'd rather catch the ship and all its goodies and either execute the slavers or put them on a rowboat off the coast. I mean, slave ships likely stink pretty bad, but even if it's turned to firewood, parts of it could be salvaged (like masts). Of course, YMMV about how much Andoran needs those materials.

I had a tiefling captain of one of the Grey Corsairs capture the ships and dump the slavers in boats off the coast, where possible, which led to somewhat more surrenders. The reason for that, of course, is that he's a vicious little beggar at heart and thus does his damndest not to kill more than necessary in case he gives in to the taste for it.