Holding Down the Fort!

 I was able to get in a small game after all today! It pitted some of Sir Reginald’s men, guarding a remote outpost, against some scouting invaders.

The battlefield. Enemy soldiers approach, with guides in front showing the way (left); meanwhile, Reggie’s forces unassumingly guard the old fort ruins (right). Note the lone billman guarding the stone bridge that has become a staple in any game that has a river!

The view from the ruined fort.

The view from the mountain pass.

For this game, I used my mint tin rules. I gave one Character to Reginald’s forces, Mordain, who rolled the “Jammy” trait (+1 to wound rolls). Mordain wields an arming sword and buckler, and wears medium armour.

As the enemy advanced, I said that on a 5 or 6 the sentry at the bridge would notice and sound the alarm. Moreover, the guides under the enemy’s hire would flee if attacked unless they rolled a 5 or 6. They’re just businessmen, after all…

The archers go undetected for two turns, giving them time to move into position and…kill the sentry!

The alarm sounds and Mordain orders the defense to arms! Arrows are exchanged on both sides to no avail, while the invaders begin to cross the stone bridge.

However, as the invaders set foot on the other side, the luck of Mordain’s archers changes, and they start staying billmen in a fine defense!

Only the axe man made it to the entrance of the fort, where he was quickly cut down by Mordain, who only sustained a glancing flesh wound from an archer. 

At this point the guides begin to flee the field, mumbling to each other something about “not being paid to die, Tommy”.

However, the enemy archers roll a perfect 6 on their morale check, and hold the line, determined to take some blood before theirs is spilt.

Mordain crosses the bridge as the valiant archers of Reginald II provide covering fire, slaying another of the invaders!

The final archer fled, likely to report to his unknown master the staunch defense at such a remote and seemingly insignificant mountain pass…

This game was really fun, and finished very quickly. The battlefield definitely felt small though. I had intended it to be crowded, but there was very little room for figures. Still, no battlefield is perfect, and no battle is “fair”.