Solo Games for the New Year

I was a little short on games played last year, and hope to do better in 2015. I particularly hope to bring out and play with some of the projects that have been languishing in storage for an extended period of time. Therefore, I am
determined to play a few more solo games.

My first solo game of the year turned out to be on the 4th of January. William and I played a quick fantasy skirmish using Song of Blades and Heroes on the 3rd, and had intended to play it again. We ran out of time, though, before we needed to go out for the evening, and I needed to take him back to school the next day. I'm an early riser, so I decided I would do a quick reprise of the previous day's game to see if the entourage of the evil wizard could have done any better. As it turned out the second time, the defenders of Willstown managed to lose their leader, and that was enough to allow the entourage the victory. Let that serve as a reminder to use the leader to lead and not to fight...




I cleared the table, flipped over the ground cloth to the tan side, and dug out several boxes of scenery from my Darkest Africa project. This had most recently been out for Cold Wars in 2011, and I thought that it was high time that I put it on the table. I usually use these The Sword and the Flame, or, to be more accurate, the Sword in Africa variant from the 20th anniversary edition of the rules. I haven't played TSATF in a few years either, so I'm getting a bit rusty.




I wasn't sure if a 3x3 table would give a long enough game. The scenario involved a trading post (at the left) under attack by some Zanzibari Arabs and their native allies. I gave the Zanzibaris 5 bands of 8-9 men each, with one band with rifles posted in the jungle area in the top of the picture, one with muskets in the lower right jungle area, and three bands of natives, each with a mix of spears and muskets facing the path. The British had two bands of 8 plus a few noncombatants in the compund, and a rescue column of one band of askari constabulary and two bands of mixed askaris and bearers.



The Zanzibari musketeers can be seen here, from the direction of the compound.


Seen from this angle, the group to the right of the angle faced the Zanzibari riflemen, and those beyond the building at the left faced the muskets.

The first couple of turns consisted of the rescue force attempting to move up the track toward the compound, led by the native constabulary. Unfortunately, they fared poorly in an attack by one of the native bands, and Lieutenant Harland-White was slain by a native spearman (despite having a character's +2 on the die roll). The remants of the constabulary fled, although they did account for 6 of the 8 natives in the band that attacked them.

That left two bands of askaris and bearers to attempt to force their way up the path against two bands of natives. Outnumbered in fighters by two to one, this was clearly a hopeless task, and the last bearers fled after dropping their loads on turn 6 or 7.




Since I was playing both sides and needed to clean the game up today, I decided that the natives, lent confidence by their easy victory over the rescue force, would attempt to attack the compound. As expected, the die roll modifiers for attacking defended barricades made that quite difficult, and they were repulsed with heavy losses. Their Zanzibari masters were more prudent, and continued to snipe, with limited effect, from covered positions.




Inside the compound, a few casualties had been sustained as a result of the rifle fire, and one askari was slain by a spearman during the assault, but their situation was by no means desperate. So, as evening fell in the Valley of Shadows, the siege continued...

Overall, I'd count this as a marginal Zanzibari victory; defeating the rescue force was an accomplishment, but sniping at the compound was generally to the advantage of the defenders (as expected from the combat charts), and whether it could be overrun on another day was by no means certain.

I now need to go back and read some of the online commentary about the rules; there are a few fine points about the Sword in Africa variant that I'm not sure I played correctly. However, one of the advantages of the solo format is that the opponent seldom disagrees about rules interpretations.

All in all, it was an interesting little game, running about an hour and a half and ten turns. Next time, I'll set the small table up in my den, where it can be left indefinitely.

Into the Valley of Shadows Player Handouts

Into the Valley of Shadows

Player #1: Chief Magumbe (Diamonds)

Forces: Chief Magumbe, Mrs. Magumbe, Zikali, Drums

             Unit #1 6 Spearmen, 6 archers

             Unit #2 6 Spearmen, 6 archers

             Unit #3 12 Zebra shield warriors (spearmen)

             8 civilians

Objectives: As the leader of your people, your main goal is to protect them from slavers.  In addition to direct protection by force of arms, you seek an agreement of protection with a European power. Luckily, representatives of two such powers are approaching your principal village.  You also need to seek medical treatment for yourself.  Perhaps the Europeans have a doctor with them? Rumor of the approach of a caravan of Zanzibari slavers has reached you—seizing  any slaves they may be transporting and adding them to your tribe would certainly increase your power and prestige.

Subordinates: A European, Dr. L.I. Presume (Player#2), has been living with you for some time, and has trained some of your warriors with firearms.  Too bad he’s out of medicine…

Player #2: Dr. Livingston Isembard Presume (Diamonds)

Forces: Dr. Presume, Mrs. Presume

             Unit #1 12 archers

             Unit #2 10 tribal musketeers

             Unit #3 10 tribal musketeers

             4 civilians

Objectives: You have been living for some time with Chief Magumbe and his people, and your main objective is to see that they are protected.  To this end you have been training some of his warriors in European fighting methods.  It is doubtful that your former English countrymen would understand your current position, and you have no intention of ever returning to England.  Besides, after the operation you are planning you might be in a good deal of trouble…You have learned that a German expedition is approaching.  Your first wife was killed by the Germans in 1870, and you have vowed to extract a terrible revenge on any Germans foolish enough to place themselves in your gunsights. 

Superior: Player#1, Chief Magumbe

Player #3: Abu Sauod (Clubs)

Forces: Abu Sauod, Ibn Dawud, Ibrahim

             Unit #1 10 Zanzibaris

             Unit #2 10 Zanzibaris

             Unit #3 10 Zanzibaris

             Unit #4 18 slaves 

Objectives:  As a simple Zanzibari businessman, your objective is to get your merchandise to the markets on the coast.  Your expedition will be passing the villages of Chief Magumbe and his people, which may give you the opportunity to add to your stock.  You have also fancied adding a European woman to your harem, and word has reached you that a particularly desirable specimen is approaching with a German expedition. 

Subordinates:  You have hired a group of Nkhukhu tribesmen (Player #4) to bolster your guard force. 

Player #4: Nkhukhu Allies (Clubs)

Forces: Suleiman, Chief

            Unit #1 12 Nkhukhu warriors

            Unit #2 12 Nkhukhu warriors

            Unit #3 12 Baluchi mercenaries

Objectives:  Your group of warriors has been hired by the Zanzibari Abu Saoud, to protect his carvan during a trip to the coast.  While the pay is adequate, you should keep your eyes open for the opportunity to increase your herds with any stray cattle you might encounter. (Naturally, any cattle that can be moved should be considered to be strays…)  It is also possible that you may encounter members of the hated G’Nareke, a tribe with who you have a long-standing feud.  If you do, attack them on sight…(Also naturally, if you should chance to encounter any of your fellow tribesmen, you must refrain from attacking them.) 

Superior: Player #3, Abu Saood 

Note: Suleiman can command both Nkhukhu and Baluchis, but the Chief can only command the Nkhukhu.  The Baluchis are not involved in local feuds and may not attack any G’Nareke found unless they have been

Attacked first.

Player #5: Lord Harland-White (Hearts)

Forces: Lord Harland-White, Lt. Fowler, Mr. Binney, Wellington

             Unit #1, 12 Native constabulary

             Unit #2, 8 Askaris

             Unit #3, 8 Askaris

             Unit #4, 7 bearers with gifts

Objectives:  As a representative of Her Majesty’s government, your tasks are simple.  You have been ordered to lead an expedition into the Valley of Shadows to sign a treaty with a local chief, to support the establishment of a British protectorate over this area—before your rivals, the Germans, are able to do so.  You have also been instructed to suppress the slave trade in this region, and to seek Dr. Livingston Isembard Presume, a missing British subject last known to be in this area, and return him to England.  It is vital that you avoid creating an international incident with the Germans, who are known to be sending a similar expedition.

Subordinates: Player #6, G’Nareke allies.  You have hired additional troops to support this mission.

Player #6: G’Nareke Allies (Hearts)

Forces:  Chief Bebul, Bardok

              Unit #1 6 Spearmen, 6 muskets

              Unit #2 7 Spearmen, 5 muskets

              Unit #3 8 Spearmen, 4 muskets

              Herd boy and 6 cows

Objectives:  Your warriors have been hired by the English to help protect an expedition to the Magumbes.  You have received payment for this in the form of cattle, and you must protect your payment.  You must also be alert for the presence of your deadly enemies, the dreaded Nkhukhu.  If you meet any of them, you should attack on sight.  Other than that, you should certainly support the English…

Superior: Player#5, Lord Harland-White 

Player #7: Dr. Erik Schlegel (Spades)

Forces: Dr. Schlegel, Fraulein Schlegel, Johann, Karl, flag

             Unit #1, 6 German colonists with rifles

             Unit #2, 10 Askari musketeers

             Unit #3, 10 Askari musketeers

             Unit #4, 7 bearers

Objectives: As a representative of the Kaiser’s government, your tasks are simple.  You have been ordered to lead an expedition into the Valley of Shadows to sign a treaty with a local chief, to support the establishment of a German protectorate over this area—before your rivals, the British, are able to do so.   It is vital that you avoid creating an international incident with the British, who are known to be sending a similar expedition.  As a medical doctor, it may be that you can earn the gratitude of the natives by demonstrating the superior knowledge of European medicine in some way.  You must also protect your daughter, the lovely Fraulein Schlegel, who insisted on accompanying you on this expedition.

Subordinates: Player #8, Nkhukhu Allies.  You have engaged some local auxiliaries to assist you in your efforts.

Player #8: Nkhukhu Allies (Spades)

Forces: Chief, Witchdoctor, Drummer

             Unit #1, 12 warriors

             Unit #2, 12 warriors

             Unit #3, 12 warriors

Objectives:  Your group of warriors has been hired by the German, Dr. Schlegel, to protect his expedition during a trip to the villages of the Magumbe.  While the pay is adequate, you should keep your eyes open for the opportunity to increase your herds with any stray cattle you might encounter. (Naturally, any cattle that can be moved should be considered to be strays…)  It is also possible that you may encounter members of the hated G’Nareke, a tribe with who you have a long-standing feud.  If you do, attack them on sight…(Also naturally, if you should chance to encounter any of your fellow tribesmen, you must refrain from attacking them.) 

Superior: Player #7, Dr. Schlegel

Cold Wars 2011/ Into the Valley of Shadows

Despite the early hour, my prep team had the table laid out in about 15 minutes.

I expected to be busy this year, and knew Cold Wars preparations might be an issue, so I registered to do something from the archives.  I dusted off my Darkest Africa project, languishing in storage boxes since 2004, and ended up rerunning a scenario I'd used back in '02/'03, called Into the Valley of Shadows.  This is a not particularly serious or historical one involving four factions starting at the corners of the table.  Rival British and German expeditions are approaching the village, seen here at the lower left, which is having its own issues with a passing band of Zanzibari slavers.  It's designed for eight players, with each faction having two players with separate victory conditions, and threaded so that everyone has problems.

Early morning players are not the most energetic.

Unfortunately, probably due to our early start time, we had only one player, so I was forced to shanghai my preparation team to fill out the game.  We decided on the fly to simplify the scenario by leaving out the subordinates on each side.  This worked, but also reduced the game length considerably.  I suppose that's not such a bad thing for a show game.  We had four players again for the second running of the game at 2:00.  My lesson learned is that I need to have a clear plan for how to modify a convention scenario for less than the designed number of players.

The British expedition approaches the town in the 2nd run of the game.

It turned out to be a lot of fun to get these guys out of the box and on to the table.  Perhaps I'll "complete" this project sometime; there's still a mass of natives floating around one of my boxes of projects set aside.

We had a major find in the flea market, but that'll get it's own entry later today (I hope.)

(Special thanks to my preparation team, Marc Zerfas and Norman&William Dean, who spent Friday night sorting and reorganizing figures and scenery, loaded, carried, set up, and then pitched in to help play the first scenario. I couldn't have done this without them--we were simultaneously preparing for a possible evacuation of our home due to flooding, so I was a little distracted. Happily, the river has receded since yesterday.)