Egyptian Camp - Kings of Bronze.

After last months AWI push, a month of oddities and some of those pieces that have been hanging around for a while. Sometimes it's quite pleasant to just paint a one off.

I picked this up this Egyptian Pharoah's camp a couple of years ago from Studio Historia over in Greece with the intention of using it for a Kadesh outing.

A Resin sculpt but also available as a 3D print. It comes in several parts I opted to base it up with enough room to include a unit to defend the camp.

Some lovely internal within the tent even if getting at it with a brush was a little tricky.

It's been a while since the Egyptian's have had an outing on the table, I quite fancy giving Chariots Rampant a go in the weeks ahead.

Next up.... yet more from the cupboard of shame...

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.

LOTR Campaign #9 Out of the jaws of defeat....

A crunch battle on the approaches to the Gates of Moria.

For several turns both sides had faced each other knowing that whoever blinked, fought and lost would open up the gate way to either territory.... The Orc's blinked first and advanced head long into the defending human forces.

The scenario is rolled and the forces of Rohan and Gondor have to pack up the wagon and escort it from the table before the Orc's can break the line and capture or destroy the wagon....

Shielding the wagon was a collection of ruins which gave some vital cover but hindered any swift movement. True to form the Warg riders lead the advance seizing the high ground looking to flank the defenders. The Riders of Rohan charged forwards to counter the advance but were beaten back.... 

Standing in the Wargs way was a poorly trained militia unit, who hurdled together hiding behind their shield wall... The tricky Orc's parted ranks and out poured berserkers.. dirty trick.....

What a shock for the attackers the militia not only stood, but defeated the attackers twice...... in a row...

Switching tactics the mass ranks of Urai kai advanced forwards, the light troops in the ruins were slowly been worn down by missile and magic fire... they would not stand if attacked by the dense mass of foot troops.....

More Berserkers rush into the ruins..... With the wagon still not moving the badly beaten Rohan scrambled to screen the wagon and escort.

The men of Gondor entered the fray to counter the approaching Orc's.... It was now a race to the finish line as finally the wagon was packed and finally under way.

With a single Force Morale Point left the wagon is off... The alliance of men held on for a rare victory.

A bloody affair for both sides with each force losing around 25% of their starting force.... with two more rounds before reinforcements what would be left to take to the field???

Up next map moves.......

LOTR Campaign #8 Battle of Silver River.....

Having been beaten back in the previous turn the battle weary human forces have fallen back to Weathertop on the Great East Road but the Orcs had followed up giving them no respite. Outnumbered 3:1 they had one chance to strike the Orc's before they could get organised.

Orc forces were escorting a the wagon of supplies across the table, if the human forces could capture or destroy the wagon they could strike a blow to the attackers. however a poor terrain roll split the table with a river through the centre and the allied forces were pinned on the left bank.

Sauron made an appearance launching fireballs at the Elven defenders on the left bank, the Orc wagon had entered the table but far away from the defenders. The Orcs were attempting to turn the good guys flank.

The Warg riders were becoming a real pain in the rear, the sneaky riders burst from the deployment point able to appear on the far bank, the Eleven defences were broken before they had a chance to defend the river bank.

Rohan Rangers were thrown into the defence of the hill top but the Wargs were snarling and winding themselves up for a charge. A brief skirmish and the defenders were forced from the ridge.

Not content with driving back the Elves, the Warg riders rounded the house to attack the flank of the Rohan Rangers who had fallen back from the ridge line, lightly armoured they were no match for the aggressive riders.

Help was on hand and a detachment of Rohan riders caught the Orc riders in the rear.

What was left of the Elven defenders were in real trouble bursting out from amongst the snarling fur... was a group of fbeserkers. The Elves were slain where they stood.

Revenge for the fallen Elves, the Warg riders were wiped out. A brief respite. However the berserkers rushed forwards breaking the Gondor Archers. 

All was lost the Riders of Rohan charged into the remaining fanatics to cover the retreat of the retreating human alliance.

The shattered remains of the defenders fall back into the Old Forest.

A bloody affair with the losses of 38 Points to the Human Alliance and 24 points for the forces of Sauron. Another territory falls.

LOTR Campaign #7 Battle of the Borderlands

Why not ease ourselves in to the campaign with a significant mass battle... when we have not picked the rules up for over 2 years. With wide open spaced available the dice of fate forced both commanders to cram in the Northern most end of the table.

With very few points between us the forces of good and evil faced off against each other in the Borderlands with both players having sent significant armies into the territory to thwart each others plans. 

In a seesaw encounter the Warg Riders were first out of the blocks rushing forwards shut down the Human deployment points. 

A detachment of Elves, recently recruited stood in their way loosing a volley of arrows which only served to anger the mounted Orc's as they charged into the Elves who were forced backwards.

It took an Elven Cavalry charge down the hillside and drive off the nasty Warg riders, but the riders were shattered and forced backwards.

On the western flank the cream of Rohan launch a surprise attack crashing into the Wraith Riders who had dismounted and were sweeping across the table looking to flank the defenders. The Wraith broke and ran. Things are looking up for the Rohan.

The riders ride on chasing down and catching a detachment of Orc archers.... 

To the shame of the horsemen they are beaten back..... To make things worse Orcish Crossbows were knocking chunks out of the horsemen their light armour unable to stop the heavy bolts. The men of Rohan fell back to regroup, bloodied and having lost half there number. 

The clock struck midnight neither side being able to force a victory - If it was not for that 5.15am train who knows when the game would have stopped.... 

Both commands fell back and tended to their wounded for the people of the Borderlands my sense is that this will not be the only battle of the campaign. A score draw with the forces of men losing 33 points vs the forces of evil losing 28 points. Frustrations for the Human commander as they are losses they can really not afford, but similarly for the Orc commander the path to the fertile western lands is blocked.

Next up the Battle for Weathertop famous for its watch-tower overlooking the Great East Road, out numbered 3:1 can the human's survive?

LOTR Campaign - Back from the annuals of time.

Two years have passed since the last game but Lord of the Rings Campaign is back.....

My secret Wargaming Friend has been amassing more troops for both sides and is keen to throw them into the battle for Middle Earth.

Using the map from the LOTR Risk game and a mechanism lifted directly from the Classic Diplomacy orders are given for each of the forces in play. Each counter represents a maximum of up to 200 points within the Infamy Infamy rules.

Reinforcements are mustered every three months, with each territory worth 10 points and a bonus 50 points if you hold all of a region.

At the moment the good guys (Red) are under pressure on all fronts. In the south the Rohan have been pushed back into Helm's Deep as Orc armies mass to their front. Remnants of Human and Elven forces dodge larger Orc forces in Rhun and Rhovanion looking to clear them from the region and gain bonus points.

We have three battles to fight this round.

• Orc's pour out of Moria attacking Eregion where the defenders take to the field to hold their advance. (Red 195 v Blue 200)
• The Orc's in the Borderlands follow up attacking the remnants of the previous round regrouping at Weathertop. (Red 88 v Blue 177)
• Further Orcs advance into the Borderlands to be met by reinforcements coming out of Eriador (Red 195 v Blue 200)

Let's hope that 2 years coming out of Covid has helped the good guys win a game....

First up the clash in the Borderlands.

Cotswold Wargaming Day 2022 - Kadesh (lite)

Somewhat later than planned a brief summary of the Cotswold outing of Kadesh (lite) and the 1274BC clash between the New Kingdom of Egypt under Ramessess II and the Hittite Empire under Muwatalli II and one of the earliest recorded pitched battles.

First the map of the real events...

We were using Too Fat Lardies Infamy Infamy rules with a couple of tweaks to represent the various elements of the battle.

A birds eye view of the table with Ramesses II to the left and the Kadesh on the hill. The Re Corps can be seen entering the table on the right.

The Re Corp enter the table made up on a light chariot, Nubians and a couple of shield and archer units accompanied by camels and livestock, The Corp were hindered by a number of poor-quality leaders.

The Hittite chariot force had up to 1D6 turns to cross the river (Wadi) and advance on the RE Corp before the Egyptians were able to react. 4 Heavy Chariots and Big Men rumble on to the table.

The Hittites bear down on the Re Corp who head just enough time to turn to face the chariots. The Hittites loaded up with fervour raced towards their foe.

As the battle began. At the far end of the table. The Royal camp could do nothing to influence or react to the forthcoming encounter. Neither Egyptian or Hittite were aware of when Ramesses would react. There were two small markers on the table, the Egyptian King would only spring into action when friend or foe crossed the line.

The Hittite chariots smashed into the Re Corp, the battle swirls and despite damaging a number of the chariots the Egyptians are broken and shattered. So far history was being followed.

The Hittite chariots were having such a good time, running down the scattered units, remnants of the New Kingdom Egyptian Corp fled towards the Royal camp, which allowed Ramesses II to organise his defence. By the time the Hittite attack force had reorganised and dropped off their chariot runners the Royal camp was alert to the threat.

The Hittie force closed on the royal camp, who had now been bolstered by the Ne'arin Detachment who had arrived on the table, it was 2.00pm and the clock was winding down.

Battle is joined between the two chariot forces, the Egyptian medium chariots were out classed, but the Hittite's had a mounting level of casualties from their earlier clash.

The Egyptian chariot force was broken but every Hittite chariot was now below half strength.

The battered Hittite force was no match for the elite defenders, they bounced off and were forced backwards while others were destroyed where they stood.

The Ptah Division enter the table to support the Ramesses II at the rear of the Hittite attack force, it was 3.00pm.

Muwatalli II seeing his chariot force had finally seen their morale drop to 5 (which was the trigger to bring on this infantry) urged his troops forwards, but it was late in the day and the bulk of the Egyptian forces were rapidly deploying to face off against the Infantry who struggling to cross the wadi.

A great day's gaming.... and elements very close to history.

Highs and lows for both sides, the Hittites were distracted sweeping up the Re Corp, they were almost too successful because their morale held up which stopped Muwatalli II from committing his infantry. 

The Egyptian's Re Corp fought valiantly when perhaps they should have turned and ran which would have brought Ramesses and the Amum Division defending the camp into battle sooner.

The Infamy rules held up really well and whilst we were lite on chariots compared to our near neighbours it had a great feel to the battle.

and one of the earliest recorded pitched battles. successful it allowed the