Brigand Cages of Rincón del diablo

No serious gaming yet but another fun Silver Bayonet Battle in the hunt for the remains of El-Cid.

After the last encounter the local priest tells you of a potential lead in the hunt. Local Guerrilla’s and Brigands had raided the tomb of El Cid and it’s rumoured that they had taken several relics and body parts. In the ruins of a local hamlet is a cage containing the body of what could be El Cid? 

Four brigands will be positioned within 2” of the cage, any further brigands will be placed 8” away from the cage in random directions in cover.

Brigands will never make a random move during the game, instead they will end their activation. Once the relic is secured if called upon to make a random move they will pursue the relic pieces, if they recapture the relic they will move to return it to the cage.

In the centre of the table the Cage containing the potential cadaver must be opened using the key or a successful test of 15 or greater.

Surrounding the Cage are 5 treasure tokens - but watch out for the leader of the Brigands - A Demon!!!

A – The keys to the cage no test required to open the cage.

K – Ancient Scroll – Add 2 Monster Dice to the fate pool.

Q – 2 Brigands entering from the corner of a random corner, who will move towards the cage.

J – Leader of the Brigands in a random house – closest to the cage or relic (Demon)

10 – Book of Demonic sketches – Add one skill dice and one Monster dice to the fate pool

 

Experience Points available.

+1 For opening the cage.

+2 Taking the relic off board

+1 for each 2 Brigands killed

+3 Killing the Demon

Turn 1 - A common enemy and for once players unite French, Spanish and British each take the opportunity to thin the defenders in the square to open away to the Cage.

The Spanish make there way towards the cage clearing the house over looking the cage, could this be another win and a 3rd body part?

You have to watch your back as the player with the lowest initiative gets to place a further brigand usually behind the player making the most progress. Fortunately the Spanish had a marksman to suppress the sneaking outlaws.

 

War erupts yet again between the British and the French, The red coats could not resist a pot shot at the French in the open. Before the French fire a volley back.

As the Spanish rattle the cage unable to prise the lock, the doctor from the second British unit having grabbed the keys rushes towards the cage, only to be shot down by the French. Who in a moment of madness firer on every nationality in sight.

The Demon is discovered and rises up from the Crypt.

With blessed weapons the British fire on the Demon.

As the Demon chases down any character near the cage, the French rush in and crack open the cage before running for the table edge as musket balls whistle past their ears.

The Demon is felled by British musket fire, but spoils for all, the Spanish racked up plenty of brigand kills whilst the French now hold the 4th piece of El Cid. 

Next up the final piece is tracked down before the grand showdown.

Silver Bayonet - 4 way encounter - Bring out your dead.

A little behind on posts - The last game of 2023 and the usual skulduggery as the hunt for El-Cid's body parts continues.

This time 4 players and an additional British player.... unsurprisingly the Brits played nicely together whilst a cautious cease fire existed amongst the French and Spanish although to be fair everyone had their hands full with the undead and vampires to really focus on the living opponents.

The chapel surrounded by multiple grave stones together with plenty of dead to keep our parties happy, buried in the grounds under one of 4 clue markers was another bit of El-Cid

The British combine their efforts taking down several cadavers as the remainder of the Brits make there way through the gated cemetery.

The Brits were distracted by their mission by the arrival of a Vampire swooping in feast on the Brits, good job they had Abu all the way from India to save their skins.

With the church grounds full of undead, the French looked to lead them away by appearing at a hole in the wall, the undead only had one thing in mind human brains.... the sneaky French.

All way going to plan as Claude trudged off across the marsh with the undead shambling behind.

However the arrival of another Vampire ruined the French plans - Brother Bronte was left to face the foul creature, a holy symbol provided some protection - But he really needed a silver weapon.

As the Spanish contented themselves with dispatched zombies for point, the Brits ran in to unearth and grab El-Cid's body part, it was close as the French shot a a few of the Brits down as they fought off the returning horde. But the Brits carried the day.

3 of the 5 parts of El-Cid have now been found.

Spanish 2.

Brits 1.

If you want an unbiased view you can find the a view from the British lines - Silver Bayonet on a school night! | movealongnownothingtoseehere

Stay tuned for round 4 as the search continues.....  

Silver Bayonet - Will the real Claude please step forward.

Rejoice, rejoice Claude has been found.

How the gang is all here let's see if they can do any better than the stunt double.

Now on with the mission, The Tomb of El Cid was raided by an unknown party and the Hispanic hero’s bones, Crucifix and Sword  have disappeared, spread across Spain, each waring faction is on a quest for the various artefacts.

If they can be recovered this will give a massive boost for the various nations, the Spanish can clear there lands of foreign influence, the Brits can defeat the French, the French can defeat the British… EL Cid’s influence is significant for all.

After the first encounter the Spanish are in procession of part of El Cid’s skeleton and are making their way to the Monastery of San Pedro de Cardena when a messenger reaches the parties that some of the Cid’s bones are hoarded by a monstrous troll who lives underneath a nearby bridge.

 

Everyone rushes to hunt down the beast and secure the second part of the puzzle.

You have to say that for the Spanish they do like to get stuck in... heading straight for the bridge.

The Brits and the French unimpressed with the aggressive Spaniards poured fire into the attackers but under a hail of shot the Spanish reached the bridge. 

On the bridge the troll surfaced throwing boulders at the Spanish, but a blunderbuss round caught him squarely in the chest, followed swiftly by a musket round which finished him off... some much for the terror of San Pedro de Cardena.

The Spanish had the second part of the puzzle and were running for the road, Claude waded across the river as the Brits headed for the row boat, but despite killing a number of the Spanish the remainder escaped the table.

Two nil to the men from Spain...

Another fun encounter players are finding there feet and understanding the limitations of some of the creatures that stalk the land.... Let's see how they get on with a Church Yard full of Zombies...

Silver Bayonet - Dead Man's Farm.

How annoying.... Claude has gone AWOL.... 

Somewhere in one of the numerous boxes is a French faction for Silver Bayonet now I will have to send a day hunting down these lead warriors. Like many a wargamer high time I reorganised the boxes to ensure 'stuff' does not go missing again. Fortunately the body doubles will be a suitable stand in.... 

Dead Man's farm.. Hidden amongst the 5 markers is an artefact, standing in the way is a bunch of Revenants... The mission - Get in, find it and escape off table..... simple.

The problem, both the English, French and Spanish all wanted it.... The Spanish tried the direct approach taking an axe to the courtyard door.

The British readied themselves for action, despite all the dead around them they came looking for a fight.... 

The French took up a defensive posture watching the Spanish knock on the door. 

Without warning the British attackers fired on the French, forcing them to fire back in self defence. 

Meanwhile the Spanish had under estimated the cadavers charging in they took down several of the undead but they lost half their number, but on the turn of the first card found the artefact and only had to make it off the table.

To late the French and British realised they had a more important goal and chased after the men of Spain.. but the Spanish nipped through the main gate, side stepped a couple more dead soldiers and were away...

My apologies to the British commander for the bias within the report.... But you did fire first... :-)

A fun encounter with three waring parties, the rain storm mid-game made shooting less effective forcing everyone to use steel...

Next up the Troll Bridge......

Legends of the Water Margin #2 Clear the Temple

The Heroes of the Water Margin are massing and the local population are rushing to their banner.

The Sung Government send a military force to break up the gathering, a chance for scores to be settled. Kao Chiu was looking to defeat Lin Chung who is bound to be at the centre of the trouble, while his Temple Guard were itching to take on the Palace Guard who had taken the side of the rebels.

In a close and bloody affair - Kao Chiu's forces had the numbers but Lin Chung's troops had stealth on their side.

The massed ranks of the government forces advance up the table, but still the bulk of the rebels did not show themselves.

Only the Palace Guard were on show defending the Temple.

The trap is sprung and the banner men rise from the tree line to block the path to the temple.

A fancy uniform, confidence was high in the government forces as they marched on to the table. A slight problem with there morale, they had not seen combat since being painted 2 years ago!!!

An aggressive move by Lin Chung and infantry and cavalry charged forces sending the cavalry back to group.

As heroes fought for control of the hill, infantry and cavalry ground out multiple melees, the imperial forces were unable to break through the rebel lines, several heroes were heavily wounded but held on as clock ran down.

A fun affair with Heroes on both sides playing their part, Black Whirlwind went down under the hooves of a squadron of cavalry but not before sending two militia units running for the table edge. Wizards on both side swapped incantations looking to prove who's magic was stronger.

Both sides claiming victory of sorts, the sort of outcome that is crying out for a rematch.

Played using an adapted version of Infamy Infamy.

The Elizabethan Zombie Chronicles #8 - Flight of the Queen

2 years have passed since the last campaign game.... gulp..... 

But with a free day, a chance to get all the toys on the table, England a green and pleasant land, but all is not well as across the land plague pits and grave yards now litter the countryside.

The English Army are on the March escorting the Queen to a place of safety as the dead stir, blocking there way a Spanish invasion force looking to capture the monarch.

Outnumbered the English lords hatch a plan to get the Queen away, a small sail boat awaits but only if they can slip the Spanish net.

The walled village had a single gateway marking it's entrance with marsh and swamps to the right and left which has thus far protected the village from all foes.

A rush for the gate English and Spanish forces close on the main road in to village, he who holds the gate controlled the field.

The noise of battle brings forth unwanted foes, the resin could appear from any of the 6 plaque pits but the vast majority appear to surface in front of the Spanish lines.

As the Spanish put the zombies and other evil beasts to the sword the English made their move for the gate.

But the English countryside was no place to loiter and as the trained band held the line the Queen was ambushed by a foul Werebeast, who killed one of the monarchs lady in waiting before it was dispatched.

The Spanish rushed the English as the defenders had their own trouble, the Queen was forced to swallow her pride and wade through the mud and muck to escape the Invaders. Oh the shame..... where was Rayleigh when you needed him :-)

The Queen was away and heading for the sail boat....

A close run affair the Spanish were soundly beating the English until the dead rose and distracted the invaders form their true goal, the English were able to hold the gate sacrificing their trained bands to keep the path open.

The adoption of the Too Fat Lardies, Infamy Infamy rules worked really well and kept the game moving quickly to a conclusion, even if the Queen had the shame of having to wade through the swamp.