Mentally Terrorforming: When in Lamavic AAR2

 Hello all. It feels like its been ages since my last post, work has been a mess of training and assessments of late so all things hobbyish have slowed to compensate. I am aware i am spinning quite a lot of plates on here at the mo (if you can consider projects as metaphorical plates being spun by a simpleton!). What with the new background and basing, two campaigns underway and a set of rules to finish its all a bit hectic. And i hear something involving a jolly fat housebreaker in red who smells of raindeer poo and some kind of season of good will (mainly involving throwing cash at a high street retailer of your choosing) is on the horizon. But do not fear, these projects will come together before i start anything new (i hope!) and to that end i thought i would get on and play another game in one of the campaigns. So today, for your 'enjoyment' i give you.........

When in Lamavic 2, (more than) a bridge too far!!.......

  'SIT DOON YA SOFT BASTARD, THERES NOO WAYS I'M LETTIN' ANY A YOUZ GO AFTA THEM SODS WITHOOT BACKUP!' bellowed Lord Aralin as he loomed imposingly from his throne in the center of the mead hall, his scowling grizzled face half lit in the flames of the fire pit to his left. Below his dais a great swath of his local lords and Bondsmen were seated, each shouting to be heard above the clamor in the room. 'ARE YOUZ SAYIN' responded Lord Bantoc of the Riverlands as he shoved his chair away and jumped to his feet. 'ARE YOUZ HONESTLY SAYIN', he continued 'THAT WEZ HAVE TA SIT ON OUR FAT ARSES AN LET THEM GET AWAY WI' THIS??!!'. 'AHM SAYIN' responded Lord Aralin trying to keep things polite, 'THAT THEM ARSES THAT ATTACKED THE CAIRN WILL GET WHATS COMIN' DONT YOUZ WORRY, BUT WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE OTHER CLANS TO GET HERE, THEM GUILD WANKERS WILL PAY BHOYS, BUT WE NEED TO DO IT RIGHT!'. Bantoc would not be swayed. 'DO IT RIGHT?' he responded laughing in mock surprise, 'WAS IT RIGHT WHEN THEM BASTARDS TRIED TO TAKE OUR CAIRN LANDS?, WAS IT RIGHT THAT THEY CUT A DEAL WITH THAT TRAITOR CALLAN AN' HIS EXILES TA GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO ATTACK?, AN' IS IT BLOODY RIGHT THAT AS WE SIT AND FEAST THEM GUILD SHITES ARE MARCHIN' IN MAH RIVERLANDS BURNIN AS THEY GO?, AH MEAN, DONT LET ME KEEP YOUZ ALL WHILE MAH BLOOD ARE DYIN' IN THEIR BEDS BHOYS!'. Lord Aralin stormed off the platform with a face like thunder and grabbed Bantoc  roughly by his thick, bull like neck, bringing their faces within an inch of each other. 'THATS OUR RIVERLANDS AN' OUR BLOOD TOO AN WE ALL WILL GIVE WHAT WE MUST TO DEFEND THEM BUT THEM GUILD BASTARDS ARE OOP TA SOMTHIN' MARK MAH WORDS'. With that he shoved Bantoc back down to his chair and put his knuckles on the table between them. He leaned in towards Bantoc and said in a level voice dripping in ice 'Ah knows these guilds, they don' think like us, its all aboot gold wi' them. Theys not here to mine or offer a truce, theys here to take what they can!. Youz forgettin i merc'ed for the bastards years back, they paid well but we had to leave our morals behind wi' them thats no lie. They always have a trick or some scheme, always puttin' a plan into place. Its all a game to them and as sure as mah shite stinks them arses have eyes on are lands. Theys' may only be comin' in drabs but i'm tellin' youz this is just the start. We wait, hold our ground and let the other Clans send there bhoys, then we march and kill us some southern wankers!'. He stared right through Bantoc while he spoke, his eyes boring into the lesser Lord who seemed to shrink before him. Bantoc grabbed his mead horn and threw it against the far wall, hard enough to shatter it. 'SHITE TA THAT!' he bellowed jumping back to his feet.'IF YOUZ WANT TA SIT HERE AN' FLAP YOUZ GUMS BE MAH GUESTS BUT SOME A' CLAN MALARRAC STILL GOT SPINES!!.' He turned and stormed towards the door. 'THE RIVERLANDS ARE BURNIN' he shouted as he left. 'SHAME NONE AH YOUS GOT ANY BALLS TAH SORT IT!'. 'IF YOUZ WALK OOT NOW BANTOC YOUZ KILLIN YOUZ SELF AN' YOUZ BHOYS' bellowed Alarin after him. 'THEY WANT YOUZ TO ATTACK THEM, THEY KNOWZ YOU ARE COMMIN SIT DOON MAN!!'. It was no good, above the Lords voice the halls heavy oak door slammed shut...........

Meanwhile, in the riverlands......
   Captain Allac fought to regain his breath as he crested the snow crusted ridge. What he had left was sucked from his lungs at the unspoiled splendor of the view. Fifty feet below stretching to the Distant Frostfangs was a lush snow dusted valley. A crystal clear river wound its way along the valleys floor, the spring sun glistening off its rushing waters. Two large wooden bridges crossed the torrent as well as a natural fjord caused by what he guessed was a rockfall. Bird song broke the silence of the moment as the wined tugged at his cloak as he tried to wrap it further round his shoulders. Along the river bank he could see the shapes of the local scouts sneaking forward making sure the column could move unmolested. The moment was broken by a filthy claw like hand roughly gripping his shoulder. 'Aaaahhhh thee winding snowferrit, the river of rivers. its said it was carved from the very rock by a giant badger fjaphophphph  in the month of the coming snows, the say he was pulled by six one legged blue giants drunk on mushroom wine given to them by the gods themselves'. Allac turned towards the source of the bollocks. 'Fannah, i accept you have local knowledge to share but as i said before please address it to sargent Sedge, i cant be bothered with your local superstitions'. The shaman looked confused and then hurt. He ran his hand through his bloodstained hair, loosening some of the dried bones he had crudely tied there. 'Then you wont hear about the saga of one eyed Javvin the Giant slayer then' replied Fannah folding his arms across his chest, 'he killed a tribe of Giants in this very valley with a small wooden spoon and a sharpened parsnip , proper hero he was, not like you heathens with your strategy and boom powder....bunch of jessies'.  Allac held back a snigger 'you locals are so......quaint, if you are referring to the study of the tactics of battle and the use of gunpowder you may also wish to note the fact that the Guilds are bankrolling this project through gold gained by the use of those very things'. 'And where are the gods in all this, you ignore the Majestic Colin the Great Ferret,patron of uneven table legs and the Cosmic Ice Fox Bajajaaaa, lord of the sniffles you get for weeks after a mild head cold. You forsake the Gods dammit for your own gain!!. If it were up to me you could shove ya gold up ya arses till ya choke from the inside!'. Allac folded his arms and fixed his gaze on the scene before him, he saw no point in continuing the silly argument. 'So these are the river crossings?'. He said. 'Aye', replied Fannah, 'Take those and the full force can walk right into the heart of the Mallaric lands'. 'Good' said Allac to no one in particular, then he turned to give an order to the troops behind. As he did he heard a great roar go up from the valley below. From the eastern side a horde of troops rampaged into the clearing and formed a battle line. Fannah peered forward using his hand to shield his eyes from the sun so he could make out the forces banners. 'Bantoc you stupid bastard' he exclaimed, 'looks like you got their attention Allac.....You godless whore'. 'Thats Captain Allac the godless whore' Allac replied. 'To arms men, take the crossings.....AND BRING UP GIRTY'. With a cheer the line of troopers behind him marched down to the valley, drowned out bu the clanking of the Guild of engineers latest weapon........

THE BATTLE
  The game was played using my own 'Blood,Guts and Severed Heads' rules which you can read by clicking on the title in this sentence. The game is set in the valley in the Mallaric River lands where the three main crossing points (two bridges and a fjord) are situated. The objective of both sides is to take and hold as many of the crossing points they can until the end of the game (they are considered held if your troops are on them and no enemy are within 10cm). At the end of the 5th turn the force with the most crossing points wins. The river is impassable.

THE FORCES

BONDSMAN BANTOCS' MIFFED MARAUDERS

Lord Bantoc: Heavy cavalry hero, 6 wounds, 7 attacks, Grizzled.

Bloody Nige the Beserker Priest: Infantry hero, 6 wounds, 6 attacks, Grizzled, Frenzied Madman.
2 units of 10 Clansmen: Heavy Infantry.
2 units of 8 Beserkers: Light Infantry, Grizzled, Frenzied Madmen.
2 units of 6 Clan Horse: Light Cavalry, Brave.
2 units of 7 Clan crossbowmen: Light Infantry, Heavy Missiles.
1 unit of 6 Huntsmen: Light Infantry, Light missiles, Scouts.

The force is on blue bases with black trim and is made of minis by Hat, Red box and Strelets.

CAPTAIN ALLACS RAIDING PARTY OF RAIDERS......RAIDING.

Captain Allac and his personal page percy: Heavy Infantry Hero, 6 wounds, 8 attacks, Elite, Brave.
2 units of 9 Guild Pikemen: Heavy Infantry, Long reach.
2 units of 6 Shott: Light Infantry, Heavy Missiles.
Girty The steam tank: Monster, Heavy Foot, 10 Wounds, 6 Attacks, Heavy Missiles, Really Big, Brave.
This force is on red bases with yellow trim and is made up of minis by Red Box and Iron Clad.

AND THEIR ALLIES, MAD FANNAHS FILTHY FOLK OF FURY.

Mad Fannah: Hero, Light Infantry, 6 Wounds, 5 Attacks, Grizzled, Wizard.
(Spells:'Ye will eat my ruddy great ball of flaming death you ungodly cads!'
             'Run, run to the hills ye wearers of frilly girls underwear!.'
             'I will not suffer you to move you fearful sons of a flatulent donkey!')
2 units of 12 Outlanders: Light Infantry
They are on white bases with blue trim and are made by Revell and Hat.

THE BATTLEFIELD

Oooooh look, a river, bridges, even a bloody fjord!!!.

SET UP

The Lamavic right, Clansmen and huntsmen face the fjord while the Beserkers ready to cause merry hell on the central bridge!.

On the left the Crossbows ready their weapons as the horse face the bridge.

The hordes of Outlanders are on the Guild left. 

 Pike and Shott in the center ready to ruin the beserker types day.

The Guild right overloaded and a half!!.

TO GLORY AND DEATH (and the odd skinned knee!).

  Before a start i would like to explain that some of the photos in this post are truly awful, really, really, REALLY bad!. I would like it to be known i am ashamed!.

The battle begins with a flurry of missiles from both sides as the troops move out, causing some damage but all the targets hold it together in the face of such hostility. 

The Lamavic forces take the central bridge and the fjord.

On the other bridge things heat up!.

The Outlanders swarm the Fjord while the Clansmen hold on.

The Beserkers cant control themselves and slam into the pike, chasing them off!!.

 The Steam tank spies a target.....Lord Bantoc himself!, she lowers her cannon and lands a glancing blow!.........Surely the brave and unshakable Bondsman of Clan Mallaric would never run in the face of such opposition, he would gurd his loins, raise his lance and......... 

.........oh, never mind!.

 Bloody Nige shows his contempt for the Guild Muskets.

Then to prove his point he charges into them sending them packing!

Clansmen pile onto the bridge the Beserkers forgot to hold in their eagerness to kill people.

 Who would win in a fight between some Mentalists and a Steamtank??.....

The beserkers make like safari park chimps and swarm the tank pulling off shiny bits and hitting anything that takes their fancy!.

Captain Allac (and Percy) storm the bridge, chasing off the Clan horse in the process!!!!!

Look Percy, a bridge!.

A unit of Outlanders break off from the fjord to attack the Beserkers.......it goes badly for them.

The Outlanders finally take the Fjord, the Huntsmen attempt in vein to take it back.

The crossings at the end of the battle:

 The left bridge is held by the Guild pike after it was claimed by Sargent Allac.

 The Clansmen hang on to the central bridge.

The Outlanders chase off the Huntsmen to secure the Fjord for the Guild forces.

So with the Guilds holding two crossings it is victory for them and the way into the Clan lands lies wide open.......

 That was fun!. I had to do a report using my own rules (not that i went into detail about mechanics). And its nice to advance the story towards its conclusion, i think an invasion is imminent!. Hopefully i will be able to get some more posts done before christmas gets up a head of steam. Fingers crossed.

.....anyway, till next time......

Mentally (re)Terraforming (like a bad ass?)

 As both my regular readers will know i have been working to create my own fantasy setting to add context to the games i play on these very pages (and because its fun, and because my brain is more than a bit wrong, and because i seem to enjoy stupid self inflicted workloads.....grrrr). I have been building this in a steady fashion over the last few months but this was not good enough for my often M.I.A brain, oh no!, it came up with new ideas, new material AND A NEW BLOODY BASING SYSTEM AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!. Ehm, sorry, anyway, what follows is the first step into the unknown new material i will soon compile to set out this place off of my battered imagination (sorry in advance!!). I give you......(sarcastic drum roll).......MENTALLY TERRORFORMING 1.5(ish) THE INTRODUCTION!!!!!!!.

 The following is taken from the newly recovered work 'Dextaria-ferma, a study of the many nations of the world and the peoples therein' by the esteemed scribe Thelidimus Allaright Dextaria, head scholar to the crown of Verland in the year 1017. The materials are directly translated from the only remaining copy of this seminal work found in the ruined libraries of Silvermarc after its liberation by the glorious Guilds (may they rule forever) in 1069 and is included to highlight  the unenlightened time before the second age of strife just 4 years after its publication in the year 1021. These works of the esteemed scribe Dextaria when combined with his other body of works (including 'Religions, beliefs and unbalance in the savage east', 'Living under the cloud of darkness, a study into the ales of Lamavic'  and 'Natures bounty, cookery for the anthropologist on a budget') form a picture of the world before the uprising of the Cult of the new Dawn and the alleged second coming of the God King of the south and the subsequent hard fought freedom of the world by the heroic sacrifice of the magnificent Guilds (may they rule forever), for which we are forever thankful. As a student of history these works demand attention not just as one of the few remaining windows into the time directly before arguably the most important events in modern history but as a body compiled directly by an author not yet sanctioned by the Guild of Etymologists (may their learned wisdom live in our hearts forever) and therefore gives an unlikely but invaluable insight into the processes, attitudes and opinions of the less refined scholars of the age.
    The work presented here is incomplete as not all the sections survive intact, it is through pure necessity that the material has had to be abridged by myself. I have endeavored to include all social and military information at hand as such are the most common interests of the modern student of this period. Although some of the materials are missing due to being lost to time some sections of a more sensitive nature have been excluded deliberately, particularly the long and in this scribes opinion needlessly graphic sections on copulation rituals of both the tribes of the Red Waters of the Ramalech region and the Hag Queens of Ashka and their degenerate followers. Such material caused much distress to the younger scholars here at the grey tower and the night disturbances and loss of concentration they suffered will not be suffered to be afflicted upon the learned reader. It must be noted however that the sections in question are in the posession of the high record keepers who's detailed study into these sections will ultimately determine if they are to be translated at a later date.
  It should also be noted that Dextarias old Verlandish tongue is that of the region of Almanik, therefore some issues have been encountered in translating its bastardised form. Where several words could be direct translations for one in the original text i have endeavoured to include the word that makes the most sense in the context of the passage. Where this occurs the other words that could be used will be included in brackets next to said word. An example of this is the Almanikish word vil a derivative of the old Verlandish word ville. This directly translates as in in our more sophisticated tongue and within the text we have used it as such, however it could also mean tangerine, look (as an expression of surprise) or as its close cousin Vill, a personage of questionable intellect. 
  The final item of note when reading this document is that your scribe has added his own notes and interjections where it is felt to be prudent. Such sections are presented in italics.
  Although Dextaria is a native of the long since fallen false state of Verland (modern day New Verland), his words help build a picture, however confused by his own freedom of thought, of a world unaware for the most part of the danger it faced and help all peoples of these free lands to understand the folly of a segregated society and the necessity of the existence of the majestic Guilds (may they rule forever) that guide our own understanding of the world. It is my humble hope that this work will help further the understanding of the period it covers and prove to be an invaluable aid in educating the masses in the danger of a fractured collective social consciousness and the terrors such thinking allowed to thrive.

  -The most enlightened Mollucs Entrades, forth record keeper to the Guild of Chronologists (may they keep the truth justly), 1431.

  Yay you made it all the way through!. As you can see the style will be a little different this time around as it will be Scribe Entrades that will be writing the material based on an old copy of an anthropological study into the period in my head (go imaginary outsourcing!!!). I will be replacing the material on the 'Terraforming...Mentally' page with the new material written from here on i will however keep the old blog posts relating to said materials as i'm too plain lazy and cant be arsed to remove them!.
......so thats about it for now....till next time.....

Mentally Terraformish: When in Lamavic (AAR1)

Hi folks, it feels like its been a while. I started a new job last week so things have been a bit slow round here as focus has been diverted but fear not, i wont be ignoring these prattish pages of (un)polished pointlessness and procrastination (try saying that five times quickly after a few pints!), i will be updating as an when time allows so bear with me and i will reward your patience with my peculiar brand of tosh and prattle!. Speaking of which i have an AAR to write!....

 Governor Paral starred down his nose at what was once scribe Garrat and tutted to himself, he slowly walked back to his solid oak desk and sat, still tutting as he went. He drummed his fingertips on the table top and sighed. 'So you say he rejected our most generous offer....' he glanced down at a piece of parchment on the table and back down his nose at Garrat who was shaking before him...' and he had the nerve to kill all the guards we sent with you. Tell me Scribe, did he say anything positive at all?'. 'No my lord, not a thing' replied Garrat. 'He said, and im quoting him directly, he said, ''He'' meaning you of course my lord, ''he can ...er...he can....he can chew on my shite before he gets my land'', he had the gaul to say that!'. Parals face was unmoved by the scribes words. 'Did he' he said after a pause. Garrat shuffled beneath the governors burrowing gaze. 'And he said something queer my lord'. 'Really' said Paral in mock surprise, 'tell me scribe, what did he say?' Paral lent forward, his gaze intensified. 'He said something about the offer sir', started Garrat. 'He said, and its mad sir, shows just how stupid and uneducated these savages are sir, he said, and this will make you laugh sir when you hear it, he said'.... 'Yes' interrupted  the Governor, a thin smile on his lips and his eyes still fixed unblinking on the figure before him. 'He said......he said you want him to attack us so, and this will really crack you up sir, so you will be justified in going to war with the Clans!. Garrat broke out in a nervous laugh, it took half a moment before he realized the Governor was not joining in, in fact he was sat bolt upright fixing Garrat with his cold stare. After an eternity Paral calmly stated 'I am'. Garrats face was the perfect picture of shock and surprise, 'but sir, that would be in direct opposition to the policies put in place to control guild actions overseas, a war may only be sanctioned by a high Governor in times of dire threat, you cant start one sir, you cant!!'. Paral rose from his seat and walked slowly towards the Scribe. 'Who do you think sanctioned this trip scribe?, are you so slow you dont realize the nature of our mission?'. 'www..wwelll ssir'. started Garrat cowering slightly as Paral strode towards him. 'We are hardly here to mine this scrap of land Garrat' continued Paral, 'This trip is to take the area in the north of Lamavic, create a gateway into this god forsaken wilderness for our further expansion but to do this we need to, how would you understand this, clear the land. We need to be seen to adhere to policy and as you know we cant very well stroll up and start a war, we require some provocation. Thats where the offer came in, to goad the savages by insulting them. However it seems they are brighter than i gave them credit for, we will need to step up our activities.' The governor was standing before Garrat, towering over him. 'Now im sure you understand this information is on a strictly need to know basis'. Said Paral, smiling at Garrat. Garrat relaxed a little. 'Which is why...' continued Paral as he thrust his hand towards the scribes belly, berrying his hidden dagger up to its hilt, Garrat gave a faint 'hurmph' as Paral placed his hand over the scribes mouth and bored his gaze into Garrats.....' you cannot be allowed to know'. The lifeless scribe slumped to the ground. Paral clapped his hands together and two guards strode into the room silently and removed his body. 'CAPTAIN ALLAC', shouted the Governor, 'ENTER'. A tall, thick set, dark haired man entered the tent, his glistening steel armor shining in the candle light. 'Yes sir' he said smartly, removing his helm and bowing before his seniors gaze. 'It seems we need to give our enemy further encouragement. Take a force with you to the area known as the Barracdoons, there you will find a pile of earth known as the cairns of clan Mallarac by the locals. I want you to ensure it is not there come sunset. Take some of the local troops to show you the way and take that mage too, he gives me the willies'. 'The one with the entrails wound through his hair and the blood on his face Sir, keeps swearing and kicking children sir?' enquired the captain.  'Yes Allac, mad fannah i believe he is called, claims to use magic. If nothing else the locals will follow him and if we are very lucky we can get him killed, might stir them up a bit'. 'As you say sir'. replied the captain smartly. He bowed again and turned to go. 'Captain' called Paral as he was leaving,  'i am sure you understand how sensitive this mission is, i would hate for anything to go wrong, heads would be sure to roll'. Allac paused for a moment in the doorway. 'As you say Sir' was all he said as he departed.

THE BATTLE
  I decided i fancied a game of Dragon Rampant for this one as i plan for this to be the start of a small campaign with a far bigger battle to follow!.  This battle is set in the borders between north east Lamavic (the home lands of Clan Mallaric) and the Frostfangs in the area known as the Barracdoons, within which is the Cairn of Clan Mallaric, the resting place of the hero's  and great leaders of the Clan. The land is almost holy to the Clansmen and those within are the subject of many Sagas. Its fair to say that messing with such an area is unwise to say the least!. The Cairn is a massive burial mound that gets bigger with each hero that rests there. It is marked with flags and patrolled by the clansmen that live by it. No foes have ever attacked the Cairns since they were defiled by the exiled Bondsman known as Callar and his dark mage accomplice known simply as mad fannah, two individuals that lead a failed rebellion against the Clan leaders, the result of which was their exile to a small settlement in the Frostfangs where Callar and his followers now lick their wounds and plan their next move .....the very bhoys the High Governor of the Mining Guild  has contacted to help his guilds forces land unnoticed in the Frostfangs in fact.....
 The battle begins when the clan troops under the control of Captain Allac guided by some of Callars men led by Mad Fannah no less advance on the Cairn, however the local Clansmen are only too aware of their intentions and are moving to stop them....

The Cairn of Clan Mallaric.

 The objective of the game is to be the only force with unbattered troops within 5ins of the flags on the Cairn at the end of turn 5 (sundown). The side that manages this will be the winner.

THE FORCES

The guild forces

(left-right) 2x Pike squads, 1 lead by Captain Allac (heavy foot), 1x Musketeers (heavy missiles)

                                                      (minis by Red box and Revell)

Mad Fannahs Frostfang exiles (allies and guides to the guild forces)

(From the back) 1x Scouts, 1x Rebel Clansmen (light offensive foot), Mad Fannah (wizardling with almighty prod, stronger sheilds and heal thee, light foot).

                                             (minis by Red Box, Revell and Hat)

Opposed by:

                         THE CLAN CAIRN PROTECTION COMPANY

(back row) 1x Huntsmen (scouts), 1x  Clan crossbows (light missiles) 

(middle) 2x Clansmen (Bellicose foot, Hatred)

(front) 1x Hunting Hounds (lesser warbeasts), 1x Clan Horse led by Laird Barrack (local Bondsman to Laird Aralin) (Heavy Horse, Hatred).

                                               (minis by Red Box, Revell, Strelets and Hat)

Note: I made the Clansmen Bellicose foot to represent the fact that they were some what put out by the attack on the Cairn, i also gave them Hatred for the same reason!.

As always i have used my colored bases. Guild forces are on Red with Yellow trim, The Rebels are on White with Blue trim and the Lamavic forces are on Blue with Black trim.

The field, before the battle. (the Cairn is to the left)

SET UP

The Guild right, Rebels on the flank, Muskets protecting the ford.

The left, Scouts in the trees,  pikes and a mentalist together and more pikes over the ridge.

On the Lamavic side the crossbows get ready to assault the cairn flanked by the frothing Clansmen units.

The Hunting hounds, Clan Horse and Huntsmen get ready to wipe out the Guild flank!

TO BLIMMIN' BATTLE N' THAT!!!

The Rebels advance, the hounds have the same idea!.

The Pike on the flank move out to meet the Clansmen barreling towards them!. 

Huntsmen...er....Hunt by the rocks.

The opening turns saw both forces advancing piecemeal towards each other taking pot shots. On the right....

'RIP...SNARL....TEAR.....OWWW, DOWN BOY....NICE DOGGY...!!!!!!

On the Cairn the Lamavic troops crested the ridge before the enemy troops got organized enough to stop them (the musketeers fluffed two activations in a row!. They put it down to frozen shot and union cold weather guidelines...'sorry mate, what can i do?, union rules innit, too cold to load, ave ta wait till spring mate!....').

1 ridge, crested.

On the edge of the Cairn the Pike and rabid Clansmen met in a storm of Pikes and strong language, the pikes were forced to retreat and would remain battered for the rest of the battle!

Faced with a hill covered with mad Clansmen Captain Allac ordered his men to form a wall of pikes!, these were boosted by Mad Fannahs magic (stronger shields!).

Before they could get their act together and , you know, shoot or anything the Clan Horse stomped into the muskets, sending them to look for other employment that would make the best use of sword wounds and spear holes!. 

On the Cairn the Clansmen were too wound up to be bothered by anything like a defensive position and flung themselves into the pikes, getting pushed back up the hill for their troubles!.

Sensing victory The pikes broke formation and charged up the hill, forcing the Clansmen back further. The huntsmen responded by showering the pikemen with spears, forcing them to retreat and fail a battered test!.

While all this was kicking off Mad Fannah cursed the other unit of pike cowering in the face of the pee'd off clansmen. Bellowing something about 'Soft southern jessies and shite faced Clan bastards' he charged head long into the Clansmen!!

Killing 2 and chasing them off!!!!

'Och and stay outta it ya gurly swine!!!'.

With the Clans on top of the Cairn and the Guild forces with nothing able to move close enough to contest it dusk fell (along with the temperature!) and Captain Allac ordered the retreat. 

Final positions at the end of the game from the Lamavic table edge.

The Cairn may be safe for now but the war is far from over........

Well that was fun to play, the combo of wild charges and hatred on the Lamavic side meant they would charge automatically each turn they could see the enemy and were close enough!. This made for a very fun 'fluffy' game where a charge in the wrong conditions ( read: wall of pikes!!) almost spelled disaster for the charging side!. Proof that powerful upgrades are not always the blessing they appear to be!. The question is, where to go with this from here?, will the Clan forces seek revenge for this cowardly attack on their 'holy' ground in the face of common sense?, Will they hole up and make the Guilds come to them?, Will the Guild forces perform more gorilla attacks to goad the Clans into action or will this be enough to convince the them to make an all out attack to force the issue?. What do you think?, comments below and i promise most popular idea will shape the direction this campaign goes in!.

Very much looking forward to your comments (keep them clean...who am i kidding, don't bother!!)...anyhow...till next time you lovely peeps........