Dead Man's Hand--The End May be Near...John is enjoying a vacation trip, so Chis, Jim L and I ground each others' warbands to dust...
AmbushIn which the Old Guard must transport a hoard of treasure from the Temple of Transcendent Hummingbirds
Naturally the Old Guard failed their 'curse' test. Greed: Bashful the Pathfinder demanded double his upkeep for this battle (he should have demanded it up front...) The Old Guard were completely out maneuvered. Not only were they surrounded, but they blew the initiative roll and moved last as well. As a result four warriors were out of action before the Guard could even move.
Bay Watch snipers to the south.
An assault in the center reaches the temple base.
New Estalian hordes to the north.
Beginning of the first Old Guard turn. In addition to the models shown a goblin, 2 handgunners and a swordsman are already out of action.
The Old Guard break to the north (because there are only 12 Bay Watchers).
Bay Watch targets and a charge
Al Bobo is shot down in one round. Jaun cuts down his opponent.
The bald crossbowman is possessed by a minor daemon. Take that Floppy III!
The poor crossbowman regains his soul, but collapses out of action due to the strain... (Then there were 10.)
The New Estalians surge up the north stair
Esmeralda the Witch (far right under my elbow) is shot in the back by the guy in the blurry black hat... (6 Old Guard down)
Juan and Bruno II clash
Almah defeats a crewman (already removed) as Captain de Guzman is attacked by the oft widowed Mrs Wolfgang and Beardy III.
A great deal happens. Captain de Guzman falls to the combined attacks of the Bay Watch heroes. The event Storm of Chaos happens. Francisco, Bruno II and one of those New Estalians all become champions of the gods.
Bruno II defeats an already wounded Francisco (already removed) as Almah fights off the victorious Mrs Wolfgang and Beardy III (8 Old Guard down)
The slaughter on the north stair continues. Mrs Wolfgang is taken out of action by Hadj, who is then shot down by the firing squad. Ali bin Ali also falls to missiles. (not pictured but that's 10 down)
Beardy III falls to the Man With No Name and Almah. Almah is now carrying 9 treasures. (6 Bay Watchers out of action)
The Clash of Champions. Bruno II defeats the New Estalian champion (whose name I do not know).
Two Swords defeats Bashful the Pathfinder
Holding the stair. The New Estalian champion has just been removed. Two Swords attacks Heinrich the former Nordland Marine.
A thin line of gunners hold back the surviving New Estalians to the north
Running for their lives. Almah survives 6 crossbow shots
Juan flees to the east.
Mopping up. Bo'sun Critter kills the Man With No Name.
Almah flees
Last chance. 3 throwing knives and one crossbow shot. Almah takes her first wound of the fight, then escapes!
Bruno II fell to the New Estalians Captain, who also did for Heinrich. The thin line of Old Guard gunners eventually cut down most the New Estalian crew. The last Old Guard survivor lay bleeding from a crossbow wound when the New Estalian Captain was shot down in one volley from the Firing Squad that was not shooting at Almah.
The New Estalians flee after rolling an 10 for their subsequent rout test. At the time they had 4 surviving warriors. (Out of 18)
Almah, Juan and the last gunner escape. (Out of 23)
The Bay Watch hold the field, but the Old Guard manages to get 12 treasures off the table to win!
Highlights not pictured. Gomez y Gomez fired his blunderbuss into the mass climbing the stairs and shot 3 of the New Estalians out of action! You might remember him as the poor fool squashed by the New Estalian ogre two weeks ago. In the Battle for the North Stair, Gomez threw his body between the charging ogre and Guido the Marksman. Gomez was dashed to the ground, but survived to rise and slay the foul beast! Huzzah!
The New Estalians flee with one hero and three henchmen still standing.
They lose one crewman captured by the Old Guard and the ogre killed. A hero will suffer an Animal Attack at our next meeting.
The Bay Watch hold the field with Captain Flashy, Bo'sun Critter, Floppy III and the lone handgunner still standing.
Bruno II the Champion of the Gods is killed. The Bay Watch recover the two treasures stolen from Francisco...
Mobley 2 killed or captured* (14 exp.)
New Lad (never got his name) killed or captured*(7 exp.)
[*The store was closing so our end of game rolls were postponed.]
And poor Mrs. Wolfgang with 3 hand injuries now has smashed a leg an may not run anymore.
Hired a new Cabin Boy to replace Bruno 2.
Bruno 2 will be sorely missed !
I’m up to 6 wins & 21 losses.
The Old Guard lose
Al Bobo captured (and pressganged) by the Bay Watch, in addition
Bashful the Pathfinder,
The Man With No Name,
Gnob the goblin swab,
Diego de Avila and
Yusef the Merchant's Bodyguard are killed or captured.
Francisco de Gama is robbed.
Hadj becomes hardened.
The Old Guard are rich, but have high expenses.