July Shenanigans

Since my last post I’ve travelled the country, attended a wedding, and made some hobby purchases and strides. I’ve spent a lot of time working on writing some games, as well as playing Warhammer: The Old World at my local game shop.

A few nights ago, I wrote a new set of rules in a fit of inspiration. Below is a play test of them.

Reginald the Black has learned that his disenfranchised rival, Harold the Horseless, has recently been receiving aid and gaining popularity among the people of Bendlet. To set these faithless peasants right, he naturally burned down the village and sent all the strong men to the salt mines.

Upon hearing of this grievous iniquity, Harold the Horseless set forth to rescue and aid the people of Bendlet.

Harold the Horseless and his band of mirthy men. Their goal: to rescue the villagers and bring them back across their board edge.

Reginald the Black with his sergeants and conscripts. His goal: Prevent the peasants from leaving their village!

2 of the 3 peasants were rolled up near Sir Reginald’s men, unfortunate for Harold, whose army is widely defensive and planned on using volleys of arrows to hold Reggie’s men at bay while rescuing villagers.

The one helpless old beggar who was placed on Hal’s side of the river was just far enough to be a hassle to retrieve as well.

At the end of turn 1, Harold’s archers moved to defensible positions while his spears moved to block up the bridge. Meanwhile, Reginald’s sergeants moved across the riverbed to flank Hal’s forces, while his levy took up “guarding” the peasantry and he himself prepared to threaten the bridge.

Sir Reginald at the bridge. In the background, his levy spears hold an elderly woman hostage.

Harold and his spears move to block the easy crossing of the river so their archers can pin-cushion the enemy.

Over the next two turns, the tide starts to turn against Harold. His archers on the right flank are butchered by Reginald’s sergeants, while his left flank actually finds success. His archers to the left defeated Reginald’s levy forces and had a single villager (the beggar) in tow. 

Harold found himself with  Reginald’s sergeants on his right, facing down the black knight to the front, with naught but a bloodied spearman to support him. Then, the dastardly Reginald, without honor and wanting to seize the day, broke right, and charged into Harold’s archers on the River bank!!!

Harold was overwhelmed by the sergeants’ blows, and his archers were cut down, netting his company no villagers rescued. Today’s lot was defeat, yet as he was dragged from the field by his wounded loyal men, he vowed vengeance upon the black-hearted knight atop a black-barded horse.

The rules worked exactly how I wanted them to. I don’t know exactly what I am trying to evoke with them either, but I chased the feeling and the math worked out to support it! In a following game, Reginald hounded Harold back to his secret hideout, but was obliterated by the more defense-oriented warband. 

I will now set out to build larger bands to test more game sizes and objectives.

Harold is one of a set of Foundry knights I was able to pick up. Here is another knight, freshly painted. I’ve been in love with Foundry sculpts since childhood; but, living across the pond prevented any orders from being placed due to cost. Now, I finally have these lovely knights on foot. They’ll be joining my Bretonnians in Warhammer as well as being center stage in many of my other games.