Author Archive
Hail Sauron
Hail Caesar rules for a Lord of the Rings theme.
Mike came round and we tried out a scenario. The Southrons and Easterlings (Mike) were besieging Pelargir. A relief force of Gondorian troops (Phil) have marched south in an attempt to break the siege.
Based on the Road to Damascus scenario in the HC rulebook. A blocking force of Haradrim and Easterlings are holding the road in the suburbs of Pelargir. If the Gondorians can break through then the Evil force will have to lift the siege or face their supply lines being cut. The holding force must hold the road long enough for the Harad cavalry to arrive in support. If Gondor can get their forces to advance and leave the table off the far (south) edge then they will be victorious.
Outcome
The Harad, Easterling and Morgul cavalry were severely delayed. Though the Easterling phalanx was able to hold off an attack from the Guards of the Fountain Court eventually they were forced into retreat following subsequent persistent attacks from the Gondorian infantry. The cavalry were too late in arriving and then failed their command roll when they did and so failed to halt the advance. Also they suffered from overly powerful siege engine fire from the ramparts of Pelargir.
Victory for Gondor.
Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game
Osgiliath; Gondor in Flames
The ruins of this once proud centre of learning now form the focus for this fight.
Hail Caesar
The Treasure of Traprain Law. A Saxon Raid into Lothian 516 AD.
Here is how it fought out.
Mansions of Madness
Evil overlord Mike tricked Andy, Phil and Bruce into the monastery. Lured by a letter from an old friend they took on the Cultists. Andy’s Nun armed herself with a dagger and carved up the Cult leader. Doning his robes she searched the caves mingling with impunity amongst the brethren and picking up a sackful of old books. Phil’s gun decayed leaving him powerless. Darryl’s axe decayed forcing his Professor to resort to his old boxing skills from his undergraduate days with deadly effect. Bruce proved a powerhouse with his guns when he was not dropping them or tripping over. Rapidly losing his mind he became a cleptomaniac, as well as blind and then panicky.
Finally all was revealed as a betrayal and the heroes raced for the exit, leaving the hapless Bruce to fend for himself. For some reason he kept running towards the Cultists but finally just managed to make the exit on the last turn! Victory for the players!
Tumultu ad Molendinum or “Trouble at t’Mill”
Hail Caesar Scenario
Last week saw Riothamus and the Romans victorious over Hengest and Childeric. Hengest suffered a wound and both Arvandus and Childeric fled the field. The barbarian cavalry fled without striking any blows so were able to screen Hengest’s retreat towards Gallia Belgica. There the remaining Saxons who survived the slaughter have been able to link up with Childeric and more Frankish reinforcements. Riothamus and Arvandus lost contact with the defeated army having had to gather more infantry reinforcements following the loss of Arvandus’ Roman infantry during the battle. Many Saxon and Frankish infantry however did not survive the pursuit having been scattered or slain in the vicious fighting and subsequent cavalry encirclement of the central battlefield.
This time Childeric is clearly in the ascendency and Hengest has been reduced to the role of subgeneral. The barbarians have mustered around an old Roman watermill lying alongside a pleasant river. This mill and granary complex is well supplied with grain, food and weaponry stores (Frankish axes and heavy throwing spears having recently been shipped in and placed in the warehouse by the Romans). Whilst the Franks and Saxons are enjoying the fine Gallic weather and taking part in bouts of martial profficiency with these new weapons their cavalry are out scouting. Cunningly Arvandus and his Tribune of Scouts have led the Roman forces through a little known route and come upon the barbarians with swift and ruthless efficiency.
Realising what is happening as the Romans deploy for battle the Barbarians sound their warhorns and prepare for clash of arms. Will their cavalry return in time? Will they run away again as fast as they did last time? Will Hengest gain his revenge on Arvandus for the wound received in personal combat during their last encounter or be able to settle old scores with Riothamus? Will Childeric prove a superior commander?
The Saxon Warband clashes with the Roman Shieldwall.
Hail Caesar
The Battle of Noviodunum
Mike and Andy played the Roman and British side against Phil’s Barbarian conspiracy. Read the AAR on the Battle of Noviodunum page to see how it all turned out.
Mansions of Madness
Mike (evil overlord) brought over his new game and Phil (Professor), Andy (alcoholic writer) and Bruce (Ashcan Pete) took on the starter scenario. The team spent a great deal of time exploring every possible location and found themselves rapidly running out of time. Finally they were able to discover the Named Maniac but an unlucky shotgun malfunction at the last minute allowed Mike to win as the crazed axeman had 1 hit point remaining as the house began to collapse around the hapless adventurers heads!
A great game, challenging and fun. Everybody is looking forward to the next scenario.
Castle Ravenloft
Andy (cleric), Phil(fighter) and Mike (ranger) entered the crypt. First scenario with young vampire went okay.
Second Adventure was to set out against the Dracolich. This was quite challenging. Ironically it turned out that the fighter was in a portal just as the ranger found the dracolich. So on his turn he appeared in the laboratory and destroyed the phylactery. With the cleric healing and the fighter and ranger inflicting damage the dracolich was heavily wounded when the fighter was ported back to the start. Then the poor dwarf was guided into a room and knocked unconscious by an encounter. Just as the fighter returned to the fray the ranger, now second level inflicted the killing blow.
Wrath of Ashardalon
Solo quest.
Elven Paladin attempted Quest One, A day in the life of Hero. Just as everything seemed to be going well our Hero found the Tunnel exit guarded by the evil Kobold. Dragonlord. With just one blow the Paladin inflicted Four wounds and victory seemed close. However the Kobold seemed to hit with every strike and a series of traps, poisons and a cage rapidly used up our Heroes surges whilst her own attacks incredibly missed time after time, despite using powerful gloves and a staff! Defeat.
This time the Half Orc Rogue and Dragonborn Wizard decided to find Roghar’s Gear. The rogue began with a flying carpet which proved interesting. Together they were ale to delve deep into the dungeon. Defeat seemed close when they fell prey to a Grell ambush just before the vault containing the gear. They had used one surge and both were just on one single remaining life point. Both however used their daily powers and with some amazing luck managed to defeat their foes. They also were able to level up, one by drawing a tome, the other by rolling a 20. This gave them more hit points and an extra daily power to use to destoy the remaining monster. With plenty of xp saved up for the end they discarded any difficult encounters and retrieved the gear for Roghar.
