Naval Times 8th Edition

Sengoku Jidai

This week saw us wheel out another old favourite. As all the regular tables at the club were already booked we were left with the small table in the library. Hence, I needed something that would work on a small table with multiple players. As Peter Pig games are usually designed for a 5 by 3 foot playing area something from this stable seemed ideal. Therefore, I blew the dust off my Samurai collection and put on a game using Peter Pig's 'Battles in the Age of War'.

Shockingly it seems that, although I bought these when they were first released in 2008, we have only had a couple of games so far. A pity really as they do give a really good game; essentially I think we're just spoilt for choice these days.

The rules are actually based on the Bloody Barons game engine, the Peter Pig Wars of the Roses rules, and we have played that game rather a lot.

On the day we mustered 6 players. Four of us had played quite a lot of Bloody Barons in the past and two players were completely new to the game. Although really designed as a 2 player game, we have found that Bloody Barons plays really well with up to three per side, with each player taking a battle or ward. The Samurai version also divides each side into three, this time termed clans, but also adds an overall commander. Thus I suspect the game would easily handle up to four players per side.

The concept of the overall commander, or Daimyo, is one I really like and adds much period flavour. For the most part the Daimyo does not take an active part in the battle but commands from a screened enclosure, the maku, by sending out messengers from his elite  messenger corps, the tsukai-ban. I have two of these screened enclosures, representing the headquarters of my Tokugawa and Takeda armies.

Takeda Shingen. Figures Peter Pig, Two Dragons and Naismith. Maku by Peter Pig

Tokugawa Ieyasu. Figures Two Dragons and Peter Pig. Maku curtains and platform Museum Miniatures

For the game, we dispensed with the pre-game and ignored the deployment restrictions; partly to accommodate the narrow table and partly for speed. 

The armies deploy. Takeda on the left, Tokugawa on the right.

Unfortunately, I became so engrossed in the game that I forgot to take many photos and I only recall the events on the Takeda right flank where I was commanding.

Tokugawa Left Flank

Tokugawa advance

Opposing Takeda mounted samurai

Takeda Charge

Takeda mounted Samurai make a breakthrough

The action far far away - the Takeda left flank

We ran out of time in the end, which with new players and a large game was only to be expected really. However, the game was very well received and all the players picked up the game mechanisms really quickly. The consensus seemed to be that everyone would happily play again, so I take that as a win. Let's hope it's not another 10 years before we play again!

Multiplayer Game: Mistress Quickly's Olde Sack

On my return to Durham from Cyprus in a couple of weeks time I'm planning to play some 54mm multiplayer games of En Gardé.  My figures are for the Bishop's War, early 17th Century.  Weapons are  swords, firelocks and one very nasty blunderbuss.

I will run through the rules with the Players, who will be given: 

• A simple QR sheet that is pretty much unnecessary after you have played a couple of turns
• A detailed index card for the characters in your trained band, explaining their actions and abilities... as well as individual character weaknesses.
• Drawing Minor Objectives for victory Points, as well as Loot. 
• Explain the Scenario and assign warbands.
• I will control the Inn patrons, objectives and any plot points.  
• Depending on the Number of players I can have up to six trained bands but that can be reduced down if necessary. 

Once again the Queen's Head Inn is the focus for trouble in the Prince Bishopric.  It is 1634.  Thomas Moreton, Bishop of Durham, employs the Bishops Guard to keep the peace in the Prince Bishopric and along the border.  They are tasked to defend against robbers, Smugglers, Scotchmen, fanatic Puritan Preachers and treasonous Catholic Aristocrats.

A Catholic Priest has been seen in the County.  It is suspected that he is hiding in the Queen's Head Inn on the Durham Road.  At the same time smugglers are delivering barrels of Olde Sack to the Inn.

The game is set for up to six players but this number can easily be reduced by combining forces.

There are four trigger areas on the map for random events specific to this scenario.

The Scenario
Capture

Two sides will attempt to take control of the Priest, all sides want that Old Sack.  

SET-UP
• Forces: All sides are of equal points value.
• Terrain:  For this scenario the Catholic Priest is located inside the Inn.  
• Weather: Not inside the Inn, but outside dice for rain as per rules. No slow match can be lit or kept lit in rain, outside the Inn. 
• Time of Day: Afternoon
• Deployment: Edge deployments.

VICTORY
Both sides are attempting to take control of the objective.object. To count as having control, a model must be in base-to-base 
contact with the priest or brandy, not be Engaged and to have subdued him/hoisted it.  
If one side controls the objective at the end of the game (or has been able to remove it from the board), it gains an additional 5 Victory Points.

GAME LENGTH
The game lasts for 12 turns.

Triggering Random Events within 12"

Roll D6.  5 or 6 to trigger an event	1.	Doll Tearsheet the prostitute and her latest client run from the location heading for the Inn.
Location	2.	The Fat Knight emerges from the location still in the process of  relieving his bladder
The jakes	3.	The Ancient Pistol emerges without his pants or hose.
The West Copse	4.	Mistress Quickly`s prize sow bursts from the location charging for the nearest group
The South Copse	5.	Jim the Keg boy emerges from the location with a suspicious air about him.  Just what is in that keg anyway?
The barn	6.	Bubbles McGurk attempts to lure one of the nearest group into the location, price 1 shilling.

Aims and Objectives

Inside the Inn: The Fat Knight is in the tavern with his cronies.  He wants to rob any travelers he meets, but he is a mighty coward and only attacks on his terms.
The Knight and his henchman "The Ancient Pistol," are drinking with Father Dick Emery, a Catholic Priest, who is also the Scarecrow, a smuggler.  Mistress Quickly, Doll Tearsheet, Bubbles McGurk and Jim the keg boy. (Jim is employed to randomly carry kegs around the Inn)
The Priest will move to the Priest hole to hide if strangers enter the Inn.

The West Road:  The Duelist and Swordsman Basil of Rathbone starts on the West Road.  He wants revenge on Captain Lee for the death of his brother.  He is going to the Queen's Head.  Rathbone is a Catholic and has been asked to protect the priest!
Rathbone's men are Fang, Snare, and Feeble. (Note that Soloman Whitemoore has an ancient grudge against Feeble, who he claims is the actual devil) 

The Durham Road: The Bishops Guard begin on the Durham Road.  They have heard that the Queen's Head is the source of smuggling in the area, Captain Lee of the Guards, with Kinsky his henchman, Lieutenant Cushing, Corporal Nym, and the swordsman Bardolph.  Accompanying them are the Puritan Solomon Whitemoore, the Bishop's Witchfinder, with his man Tipple.  Whitemoore is hunting Catholics!

The Sunderland Road: Starting on the Sunderland Road is Captain Quilp, the Pirate and Smuggler, with his crew Fenton, Vile, Perkins and Snare.  Quilp has three barrels of Olde Sack he must deliver to the Inn.  

The North Road: Sir Oliver Crumble, MP, Master Stanley Lorrel and the Army of Parliament.  Sir Oliver has armed his men well, and intends to seek out the smuggling gang to buy their brandy or take it by force.

Rathbone (4)  Rapier and Pistol.  
Justice Shallow  (3) Rapier and dagger
Vile  (3)  Longsword and buff coat
Feeble  (2) rapier
Fang     (1) sword
Snare   (1) sword
Dick     (1) Matchlock
Travers  (1) Matchlock

Captain Quilp (3) Pistol and rapier, mounted
Sir Huge, the Fat Knight (3)  Pistol and rapier 
Ancient Pistol (2) two pistols
Solomon Whitemoore, Puritan  (4)  Pistol and rapier 
Bardolph  (2) Longsword and dagger
Nym    (2)  Rapier
Fenton (1)  Matchlock 
Perkins (1)  Matchlock 

Captain Lee (4) Longsword (Command, Duelist)
Lieutenant Cushing (3) Pistol and rapier  (Command, Duelist)
Kinsky the Hunchback (2) (Agile)

Father Dick Emery, a Catholic Priest (1)
Mistress Quickly, (1) (Beguiling)
Doll Tearsheet, 
Bubbles McGurk (1) Dagger (Backstabber)
Jim the keg boy. (0)

Plot points
1.  The monologue of a villain

2.  The purloined letter

3.  The Lady's ring
4.  A well known dagger
5.  The curse of a dying man
6.  A purse full of silver
7.  A Catholic crucifix
8.  A riddling poem by John Milton
9.  The token of a lover
10. But I know this man!
11. My brothers will avenge me
12. "This is Treason!"

Loot
Purses of the wounded and slain  D6 shillings
Loot from the surroundings in this scenario.  D6 plot points.

If this game runs through quickly a follow up game will be Save the Priest/Burn the Priest where Our Heroes have to save poor Father Dick Emery from Public execution outside the Queen's Head.  

Action off the Roche Bonne 27th May 1794

HMS Satyr has been shadowing a Squadron of French two deckers westwards from the Basque Roads.

27th May 1794

3 bells in the Morning Watch

Masthead view HMS Satyr

A wind change during the night Captain.  Mr Blair was on watch and you were not woken and informed.  Nor was Mr Pipesmoker or the Master.  Clegg gives you an "I told you so" look.   The First Officer is visibly annoyed with the young Lieutenant. 

The wind has come around to blow from the North East.  It has dropped to strength 4 (God Bless Admiral Beaufort)  The French Squadron have accordingly eluded you. 

Worse, dawn has revealed a large French Frigate bearing down on you.   Pipesmoker goes aloft himself and reports that she is a 36, "Audacieux"  or one of that class I believe Sir.   6 NM distant, coming on with all plain sail.  Pipesmoker also hails "She's run out sir, the cheeky beggar is keen."

  

HMS Satyr orders

Clear for action. Reduce sail to battle sail. Mr Clegg be so good as to set a course to bring us in at point blank range on her starboard side. We will give her a broadside and then cut across her stern and rake her.

Mr Pipesmoker will take charge of the gunnery. We will hold fire until at point blank. Double shot the guns if you please Mr Pipesmoker!

Lt Sheridan, I want your sharpshooters in the rigging. Have the rest of your men ready to sweep the enemy deck as I mean to bring us in close. If we have any swivel guns available use those as well. Target the quarter deck and wheel if you will.

We will close fast to save our rigging but I do not want to be drawn into trading broadsides. 

Mr Blair you will assist me on the quarterdeck. If we survive I mean to have words!

Ships Log

Satyr reduces to battle sail and runs out,

Audacieux also reduces to battle sail, but this is not done in the ordinary sloppy French fashion.  This ship has a seasoned crew, and has not been stuck in port during the Revolution.  It`s part of the French Caribbean Squadron, one of the food convoy escort.  

Satyr and Audacieux pass, Satyr's fire is into the hull, causing significant damage with the first broadside (three hull boxes two crew and three guns.  Why is Satyr shooting so low?)

The French fire has the unfortunate effect of removing the third Officer, although witnesses swear Lieutenant  Blair  ran below...

There is some spar damage on the main and mizzen.

The two ships circle, but a well timed jibe across the wind allows Satyr a shot into the French bow.  More damage to the French but it`s better timed and this time the French lose spars.

Another cross and the Frenchman's pumps have to work as he loses two more hull boxes leaving only two.  The French hull is cracking.  Dickie Attenborough Ships Gunner, is firing low!

A view of Satyr as she knocks sails down on the Frenchman.  The return fire kills Lieutenant Cameron   The ships Sailing master reports water in the bilges and has the pumps crewed.

But the Frenchman is done.  Audacieux begins to settle but does not strike.  Captain Quilp orders another broadside into her.   

With wreckage and men in the water Audacieux sinks by the stern, having broken open her hull.   Satyr has her pumps going and the First Officer wants to fother a sail over the hull damage.  "If we try to sail her she will ship water and settle Sir," the Master explains.   He seems a little upset that you broke his ship, and he did try to warm you about Blair...

Marked off the wrong sails boxes!

A costly victory.   A sea anchor is deployed and repairs begun.  24 hours!

(but we know that a French Squadron is around here somewhere, you may not have those hours)

The French Captain is fished out of the water and hands over his sword, don't know how he swam with it (You may return it if you are feeling honourable, but it's a nice one)

Lieutenant Blair has been confined to quarters by the First Lieutenant who found him hiding on the Orlop in a state of distress.

Preserved Parker is muttering about damage to his galley "which it is broken."  HMS Satyr is battered.

If its any consolation HMS Nymphe is in a far worse state!

Battle of Cape Machica, Biscay 1794

On course to complete a mission to destroy a French Frigate being refitted in the L`Adour River HMS Nymphe sights a French Frigate coming out of  Bayonne.

HMS Nymphe 27th May 1794

Dawn two bells in the forenoon watch
During the night the wind came around to the North East.  It means you have made excellent time.

Dr Davie Attenborough, Surgeon reports a case of  naked drunkenness in the orlop, Mr Georgio Osbourne Ships Purser.  

Attenborough confides in you "He's a Latin type Darling, all Hot Blooded."  He's obviously been at Mr Mudge's hidden stock of Old Ma Finnigan's.

At three bells, just as you have stood down the watch a sighting.  Young Thatcher goes aloft with his telescope and reports down "Its a French Frigate Sir.  A big 'un.  Excellent prize!  It may be Guillouet, a old Breton ship of 40 guns."  She's coming out of Bayonne!

A smug looking Pickwick (That's his only look really) points out that this is the very ship you came to destroy in the L`Adour River, "she`s been repaired!  That has to be a raw crew though sir!" 

The Frenchman puts his colours up in challenge.

27th May 1794, Three bells, Wind NE.

Battle stations. Well Mr Pickwick it would appear that we have the weather gauge  and the weather gods. Hard at him Mr Mudge, we’ll take him on our starboard then cut sharp across his stern for a rake. Gunners, you will have to reload in double quick time and much will depend on their efficiency. For England and for the prize!
(Quincy lights one of his small cigars and whistles a jaunty tune of his own devising.)

Ships Log

HMS Nymphe closes under battle sail.  Guillouet has issues with a raw crew but eventually clews up to something approaching battle sail.  She runs out her guns in the most haphazard unsynchronised Action Stations Captain Q has ever seen.  it offends his professional eye.

Nymphe runs out.  Her crew are professional jacks, well trained.

Being slightly closer to the wind Nymphe turns and delivers a double shot broadside almost into the bow.  The Frenchman is damaged, Her First Officer killed. Damage to her foremast and spars.

The Frenchman is big, she may even be a 44.

The two Frigates cross and Nymphe again manages an effective broadside, bringing down a mast, killing dozens of the French crew and setting fire to a poorly clewed up mainsail.

Although it should be noted that the Frenchman's own cannon may well have set fire to its own sails.

The French respond with much heavier fire, double shotted, killing the First Officer (His last word was "Basically..." and intimately wounding the gallant Captain Whitmore who bites his cigar in half.  

Hull damage is severe three guns are destroyed,  the Ships carpenter starts the pumps and tries to fit a patch. 

That Frenchman is carrying massive artillery!  32 pounders by heavens!

Nymphe plans its turn on the French stern.  The Frenchman's foremast is down and she cannot manoeuvre.  Midshipman Dresser grasps his Captain's wound and holds him aloft.  Lieutenant Thatcher reports that he has taken over the main deck guns in the absence of Mr Pickwick. 
He raises an eyebrow at the sight of a Midshipman grasping his Captain quite so firmly mid-battle.

HMS Nymphe turns on the Guillouet's stern.  Thatcher has reloaded all of the un-destroyed guns.  The British broadside runs the length of the Frenchman, killing more crew, including the French marine Officer, but we can clearly see now that she is on fire.

Captain Whitmore orders a stand clear, before he feints from his wound.

The French ship explodes and there is rigging damage on Nymphe, but no loss of life.

Captain Whitmore is sent down to the Orlop where Surgeon Attenborough informs him... "It's got to come off Captain!"

Mr Thatcher as the only surviving Lieutenant takes command.  It transpires that all of the Midshipmen apart from Dresser were also killed, and if Blythswick had still been aboard the dice of fate indicate that he too would be dead.  
The Papers will Love it
Admiral Howe will Love it
The King will Love it, in his more lucid moments

A glorious Victory
But the pumps are going and Nymphe is struggling.

Ah and a final piece of news, Mr Pickwick was been found almost alive and brought down to the orlop, in a state of distress from a skull wound.  The Surgeon performed a trepanning but the poor fellow has been rendered simple.