The Massacre at Boggy Marsh- Road to Orleans Campaign

After taking the village of Orchard Farm, British forces moved toward a vital bridge crossing into the toxic marshlands that exist beneath many of the sky cities.  The area below Orleans and its out lying villages must be captured and cleared in preparation for the primary siege.  French forces rallied on the opposite side of the river and bridge from the British advance to deny them the least dangerous crossing to Orleans.

Participating Forces.

French
Professor Vesuvias, in his monsterous creation "Songbird Mk1." he is the inventor of all French air machines.


2nd Royal Guardian Corps.-2 support teams, and 2 rifle teams 
Led by Col. Bosch- rival of captian Teage.


1st Royal Air- 2 flights of "Straw" type biplanes. 


The Armstrong


19th Steamlords 


British
1st Great Army Repatriated Regiment
- Captain Matthews commanding


3rd Foot 
-Captain Teague commanding


12th Armored


45th Air Cav, Detachment -1 


5th Steamknights 




Primary Objective of French is to deny the British any troops crossing the river, the British are trying to get as many troops across as possible in 5 turns.

We decided that the deployment would be diagonal across the length of the table, with the bridge at the center.

The first turn sees both armies trading a few long range shots to no ill effect for either side, and a lot of movement into the center.

Second turn sees an incredible turn in the favor of the British as the tanks of the 12th Armor get several lucky damage flips of the giant French mech "Songbird" and blow it to kingdom come, vitrually ruining the chance of a french attack on that half of the board.

The Great army swarm forward to the bridge taking shots from the circling "Straws"

The 19th Steamlords, just after the destruction of "The Songbird"

We pull the first successful event card and a hideous giant mutant crawls from the river, (this one under French control for the turn) and charges into a squad of Great Army, killing 75% before finally being hacked down by the survivors.

An overall view of the fight at the end of turn 3, great army has finally made it to the bridge, but is taking incredible amounts of firepower from all corners. The 3rd foot is spread out across the entire table and is in no position to move to assist as of yet.

A view from the "linebreakers" squad, the second on the bridge. The first squad was eradicated by the Armstrongs forward cannons. horrifyingly another Mutant crawls out of the smoke to confront the onrushing British, but is unable to make the charge.

The Great Army pushes across the bridge through, mortar fire, maxim guns and rifle shots to engage the enemy on their own ground.

The French mount their first (and only) counter assault across the river with the 19th Steamlords, the combat ties up 2 squads of 3rd foot  for 2 turns, before the clockwork horsemen are finally put down.

Much to the Dismay of Captian Teague, Captian Matthews earns the glory of not only being the first across the river but also defeats Col. Bosch, Teagues enemy since the opening days of orchard farm, in single combat.

Teague is given.  Rival- Matthews, which we decided would mean that no 3rd foot regiment would assist any Great Army unit in matters of shooting, or melee as long as the were within 10'' of Captian Teague.  Also, if Matthews is ever to "kill" as in remove from campaign  Col. Bosch, Teague will challenge him to a duel to the death after aforementioned game.

In his anger at seeing this Teague pushes all his men recklessly forward into the guns of the french forces.

The Great Army in the thick of fighting.

Teagues men finally reach the river and the overall field begins to look like an outstanding example of "fog of war" it was at this time that we had a discussion of how realistic it was, since neither side had any real control over its infantry commanders at this point. with Teague charging mad,  Bosch, critically wounded. Professor Vesuvias, dancing around the backfield after escaping his mech (he's quite insane), and Matthews recently wounded by a volley of French rifles.

A devestating volley from the Armstrong and the Mortar Support team of the RGC kill many members of the 3rd foot, and also forced Teague to jump of the bridge to avoid death (ie. also critically wounded)

The fighting on the other side reaches its bloodiest yet.

A view from the Armstrongs mast as it leaves the battlefield.


Final Result: Costly British Victory.


Total Casualties on Both Sides:

54 Infantry,
1 Straw downed, another crippled
1 Titanic Mech
4 Characters (all the ones in game)

earning this fight the title of "Bloodies one in the campaign so far!"

It was a great game and really moved the story forward, hoped you enjoyed reading it !

-Your Favorite Madman-

Tilean Knights/Color Schemes - Price hikes, and what that means

Hey all, im finally back, national certifications, art shows, and ap tests are all over with now, so its time to show you things i've done in my spare time.

First off is the Tilean Knights
I took the reigns where Chris left off, and sculpted up garments for all the knights. all but the one on the far right is mine.

Also, there is another "Regiment" of Cavalry that im going to do, though there is only 2 of these so far.
The one on the left is mine the right is Chris'

Then i very quickly and messily did up a trio of skeletons to see some possible paint schemes for the army.
I want to play around with the classic "white" skeleton,  or try a white on the armor, and have the bones dry or something i dunno.

Lastly, The GW price hikes, are coming (as if you didn't already know) and like always i know people who are quitting due to the merciless disregard for current economic trends. Which is always sad. I haven't looked at the projected increases myself yet, and i don't think i want to. Well anyway, whats you're take on the price increase, the minis, and all that rot?

-your favorite madman-

Blood Bowl-Scifi Edition ?

I was on youtube, looking at cool short films as i am known to do. and i stumbled upon this and i just knew i had to share it with you, as it reminded me so much of  Bloodbowl.

I normally don't do these sort of posts, but i will make an exception this time. (unless you want more of this sort of thing?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRPqVDboQDw&feature=related

AP EXAMS

hey all, just a quick little post here. ive been vigorusly studying for the ap exams, and certification tests i have this week and next,  therefore there has been a lack of hobbying as i fret over facts i wont need again. BUT, i have things in the pipeline and posting should return to a degree of frequency hopefully late next week sometime. until then! sit tight.

-your favorite (bleary eyed from books) madman-

The Battle of Orchard Farm: Road to Orleans Campaign

Hey all, we did this game some time ago, but i have been really busy and only wanted to do shorter quicker posts.

Location: Orchard Farm Proper

British Forces:
3rd Foot Infantry
-Captain Teague commanding

5th Dragoons
- Major McGovern (OiC)

12th Armored Platoon

Mk 1 Battle Walker "Queens Ire"



French Troops:


 Commander "Exdeath" (OiC)

Royal Guardian Corp

Steamlord Mechanified Cavalry Support

Wing of French Biplanes

French Armored Platoon/ Scout-Heavy Mixed



This battle is the first major engagement in the British push for the town of Orleans, The primary objective of the game would be to get as many single living men (tank crews included) into the town by turn 5.

A view of the pre-game deployment (Yes all the pics are in Sepia Tone b/c it looks more Victorian)

RGC infantry and the Steamlords move onto a small hill on the French Left flank. Elements from both the Air Wing and the Armor platoon move onto the outskirts of the town.

 The Forward French Biplane is shot down by a well placed shot from a Light Gun from the 12th Armored. The forward French Heavy tank comes under a barrage of fire from every Light and Medium Gun in range, and takes a wealth of scarring on its hull, as well as the loss of a few crew.

The Charge of the 5th Dragoons 


 Led by Major McGovern, the cavalry from the 5th charge straight into the RGC battalion stationed on the hill, and ends up in a massive and protracted melee and close range firefight with multiple units of infantry, and steamlords inside the Orchard itself. This draws in French troops from all along their battle line to try and solidify the flank. ( My plan in the battle was too commit a hard hitting force toward one flank that would draw much of the enemy army toward it and draw them into the open to be destroyed, effectively obliterating hopes of a french victory.)    The Dragoons, are on the verge of being killed to a man and Major McGovern sounds the retreat from the deadly melee, who take parting fire from the French survivors. The plan only half worked, drawing much of the French foot infantry and Cavalry onto the flank and sending them into a protracted fire fight with the 3rd foot, who had just come on-line to support the Dragoons escapes.  

                     
                      The Combat lasts for multiple activation phases, and in fact goes on for two turns.
                                         

An overall view of the battle just after the Dragoons escape

A view of the fight between the 3rd Foot and the RGC Battalions  

With the Infantry slogging it out on the Left, the Armored and Air took to firing high explosives at one another. The total damage served mostly on the French, having one plane needing to land to effect emergency repairs (almost blew the bugger up too!)  and the forward Heavy Tank suffering a few minor damages.

The Battle comes to a dramatic climax, with a massive press into the town on both sides,  3rd Foot move the forces not engaged on the left into the buildings on the right. Though mostly they are cowering away from the thunder of guns in the center of town, which around this time looks similar to the surface of the moon.

Infantry and a skiff battle in the smoke filled streets

At the end of the Day French forces lose, but it was a close run thing, and i shall not casually underestimate the sheer ability of the French troops as much as i feel i did this time.


RGC retreat from the outskirts of town

 English forces pouring into the village.

The armies you saw in this battle are the tip of the ice berg, we have some quite big things. For instance JD built this rather Massive Dirigible  named the "Le Bebop"

Teague is standing on top for scale.

 All-in-All it was a fun game, and i can't wait for the next match!

OH !  and i did some work on Tilean Undead Knights. posting coming soon !!!


-Your Favorite Madman-