Game 1-of-3
To kick off the action we went for a game of Pony Wars. The only fly in the ointment being that none of us have any US Cavalry or Plains Indians figures. But some time ago we'd adapted the rules to work with Teutonic Knights and crusaders saving the colonists from the rampaging hordes of Mongol raiders. It changes the dynamic a bit with the 'good guys' not outshooting the raiders but having a big edge in mêlée.
So, the nearer settlements were ignored in an attempt to reach the governor first, no doubt leaving the occupants wondering where all this heavy metal was going.
But that plan quickly went for a burton when the first two small raiding parties to arrive both headed straight for the villa. The test for what they did on arrival at a random point on the table edge saw them both electing to cross the table through the centre; which resulted in them catching the governor's villa between them.
The outcome wasn't pretty; the occupants being quickly massacred and the villa ransacked and set alight - the intended rescue party can be seen approaching through the pass.
At this point a few raiders snuck into the hills and started sending smoke signals to draw in more raiders; although with all the smoke issuing from the villa behind it, it's a wonder they could make it out.
... another company managed to intercept a large body of raiders just before they could descend on another settlement.
At this point the photos dried up a bit as the action became more frenetic with raiders arriving from all directions ...
... into the middle of which wandered a wagon train of settlers. These were met and directed to the town, but proved obdurate, at first pressing on regardless and then deciding to circle the wagons to fight off any raiders. But the knights persevered and eventually persuaded them to head to safety under their protection.
Amidst all this human violence ...
... Mother Nature pitched in with a landslide that blocked one of the passes.
With the Teutonic Order at full stretch and spread across the countryside trying to counter so many bands of raiders ...
... little was left to defend the town, and after seeing off two large bands, the remnants of my command plunged into another small group of new arrivals.
At this point the dice turned against me with my men all slain I was left with no alternative but to place my trust in the Lord and take them on single-handed.
It did not go well. But, with my horse down I held forth my crucifix knowing that the craven heathens would not dare to assault one so beloved by our Lord ...
A sad but noble end, as our gallant sacrifice kept the way clear for the rest to escort the remaining civilian settlers to safety.
Anyway, not letting this stop us, the table was set with all my Hexon terrain to provide passes that the rescuers would have to pass through (at risk of ambush) if they took the most direct route to the settlements. A couple of companies of knights can be seen setting out from the walled 'town' at the bottom the photo below.
Smack in the middle of the settlements was the governor's villa.
So, the nearer settlements were ignored in an attempt to reach the governor first, no doubt leaving the occupants wondering where all this heavy metal was going.
But that plan quickly went for a burton when the first two small raiding parties to arrive both headed straight for the villa. The test for what they did on arrival at a random point on the table edge saw them both electing to cross the table through the centre; which resulted in them catching the governor's villa between them.
The outcome wasn't pretty; the occupants being quickly massacred and the villa ransacked and set alight - the intended rescue party can be seen approaching through the pass.
At this point a few raiders snuck into the hills and started sending smoke signals to draw in more raiders; although with all the smoke issuing from the villa behind it, it's a wonder they could make it out.
So, while the would-be rescuers visited righteous retribution on the bloodthirsty raiders ...
... another company managed to intercept a large body of raiders just before they could descend on another settlement.
At this point the photos dried up a bit as the action became more frenetic with raiders arriving from all directions ...
... into the middle of which wandered a wagon train of settlers. These were met and directed to the town, but proved obdurate, at first pressing on regardless and then deciding to circle the wagons to fight off any raiders. But the knights persevered and eventually persuaded them to head to safety under their protection.
Amidst all this human violence ...
... Mother Nature pitched in with a landslide that blocked one of the passes.
... little was left to defend the town, and after seeing off two large bands, the remnants of my command plunged into another small group of new arrivals.
At this point the dice turned against me with my men all slain I was left with no alternative but to place my trust in the Lord and take them on single-handed.
It did not go well. But, with my horse down I held forth my crucifix knowing that the craven heathens would not dare to assault one so beloved by our Lord ...
... but they did!
A sad but noble end, as our gallant sacrifice kept the way clear for the rest to escort the remaining civilian settlers to safety.
A quick totting up of victory points at the end saw us with a very healthy positive score, and as the rules call anything positive pretty good going, we congratulated ourselves and set the table for our next game.
Which will be the next post.
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