Another Week, Another Expedition into Frostgrave

Rick, Dave, and Patrick all showed up last night for Skirmish Saturday Night and were interested into delving into the Frozen City once more. I has originally planned to continue with the Hunt for the Golem mini-campaign we started last week… but then realized late afternoon that I hadn’t gotten around to painting the figure I had planned to USE for the golem – which shows up in the second scenario… So I quickly looked through the book to find a different scenario!

SCENARIO

We played the Genie in the Bottle scenario from the Frostgrave rulebook (pg.99). Things are set up as per normal, but anytime a figure comes into contact with a treasure they roll to see if the Genie has been encountered. (Once the Genie has been encountered no one needs to roll anymore). As I was sitting out and playing the “Game Master” role I didn’t TELL anyone which scenario we were playing or what they might encounter, just that they had to roll any time they contacted a treasure and what their score was.

The Genie is a pretty nasty piece of work. The Warband that discovered is gets experience. If the discoverers survive the lamp is worth quite a bit and if a wizard takes out the Genie (who is not effected by non-magic weapons!) they got 200 experience!

FORCES

The Boy returned to Felstad with his Necromancer - Akzar Kallesel – who is now 10^th level! He had with him two Knights, a Barbarian, a Treasure Hunter, and an assortment of other minions (no thugs or thieves left in his warband, though). He also raised a zombie before the game.

Dave returned with his Sigilist, B’ob (and his hosehead apprentice D’oug). I can’t remember what changes he’d made to his warband, if any…? B’ob is now second level.

Patrick returned with his Enchanter. He has upgraded Svetlana (a Thief, I think) to a Treasure Hunter, and Gorvak Thrice-Scorched (man-at-arms?) to a Knight.

Rick returned with his 4^th level Enchanter as well. But not really… he forgot his miniatures. So he had to borrow some of mine.

THE GAME

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Rick, Dave, Patrick, and The Boy all ready to go. Amanda was sitting this one out as she had to get up stupid early to teach a 7:30 yoga class?! The Girl seems to have tired of Frostgrave.

Patrick’s Enchanter, Perrian, leads his warband into the ruin once more...

Rick’s warband also enters the ruined city… Lots of treasure right there at his fingertips.

B’ob, Dave’s Sigilist, and his warband approach the ruins carefully – with Perrian’s Medium Construct and a band of The Necromancers Minions bearing down on them for each side!

The freshly summoned zombie was actually the one to discover the Genie. Once I explained how the Genie worked, The Boy quickly rushed a couple of schmoes into combat (but didn’t bother with spending any actions on trying to fight – since they wouldn’t be able to affect him anyway – they were just there to keep him busy until the Knight with the Magic Sword could arrive!)

At the end of Turn One, in the creature phase, a Wraith appeared among Rick’s warband – who had all retreated away from The Boys warband in fear as he started explaining what was in his warband and threatening Rick’s with DOOM if he dared try to take any of HIS treasures! The Wraith killed one of his Thugs, but then Ricks wizard blasted it out of existence with an Elemental Bolt! BZZZAAAAP!

Perrian's construct approaching B’ob… who then cast Dispell on it – making it no longer under the control of Perrian (who, unfortunately, did not have Control Construct!)

Baldwin, Perrian’s apprentice, attacked by TWO wandering Ghouls!

Perrian himself comes to Baldwin’s aid, while his two archers continue to exchange shots with Ricks two rangers!

The Boy’s Knight arrives and takes down the Genie with one swift blow! He had +12 to the roll… Knight Fighting value +4, Magic Sword +2, +6 for three others ganging up…

Now that I think about it, would all those extra combatants add their supporting value if they themselves are not armed with Magic weapons…? I guess their purpose there is to just distract so the dude armed with a magic weapon can get in a good hit…?

Boar arrived and chased after The Boy’s Barbarian.

The uncontrolled Construct attacks one of his own warband! Gorvak Thrice-Scorched had previously been wounded was taken out by the Construct, eventually.

Perrian got back at the medaling Sigilist by eliminating him with an Elemental Bolt – Ba-ZAM!! And then got attacked by a pair of Giant Rats!

Things got busy in this little alley for a bit. Treasures flying around via telekinesis – with everyone chasing after them. Here is the Sigilist’s apprentice, D’oug, being attacked by The Boy’s Knight (with the Magic Sword!) – D’oug did not last long… Bartholomew Malcolm Underhill III, an infantryman also in the service of the Sigilist, battles against the Necromancer’s Treasure Hunter and the uncontrolled Medium construct bearing down on them both. In the back is the Minor Demon the Necromancer summoned earlier in the game, and just around the corner is the Necromancer’s Apprentice who was throwing Bone Darts into the mess!

The Barbarian stormed out of the ruined building, with Boar hot on his heals – the Necromancer stepped in to help out and… well… eventually the Boar was taken down.

More Giant Rats arrive to harass one of the Necromancer’s treasure-hauling minions.

Rick’s Enchanter… hiding in cover.

Another Ghoul arrives…

The Knight with the Magic Sword ends up fighting the Ghoul – to clear the way for the warbands treasure haulers – and gets jumped by a Large Construct that wandered onto the table! CRUNCH! Down went the knight.

And then a bear arrived and attacked Rick’s apprentice. The apprentice won the combat and pushed the bear out. On the next turn the Apprentice fled the table with a couple of the henchmen.

Perrian, down to ONE HEALTH, flees an Ice Spider!

The Nercomancer’s Apprentice gets chased off the table by a small wandering construct.

The very last treasure was the most hotly contested. Originally carried by the Necromancer’s Barbarian (who was gored by the boar and then finished off by arrow or Elemental Bolt – I can’t remember which…?) The Necromancer himself was also taken out by Elemental Bolt. It was then whisked in two different directions via Telekinesis. Another Zombie then picked it up and wandered back into this building for cover.

The Zombie was then ganked by this trio... They had been hiding from the Bear, but then broke cover, rushed into this building, killed the zombie and then found themselves surrounded by Large Wandering Constructs!

The last of the henchmen on the table – surrounded by wandering monsters – desperately trying get that last treasure!

Trying to escape the Constructs – Rick’s Wizard and other henchmen fled the table leaving his treasure carrying dwarf to fight through on his own…!?

Baldwin is attacked by the Ice Spider.

After dealing with the Ice Spider Baldwin found himself being chased by FOUR Giant Rats! At that point he decided that last treasure just wasn’t worth it and fled the table.

Curly, the Dwarf dragged the treasure back into the building, but the Constructs followed. He then decided to call it a day, dropped the treasure, climbed over a wall and fled off the table!

It was a pretty epic game - we played TWELVE TURNS and ended the game just after midnight. Two wizards and an apprentice were taken out and another wizard limped of the table with only one health! Of the twelve treasures the Necromancer collected five, everyone else collected two and the final one was left on the table... 

POST GAME

Akzar Kallesel survived the Elemental Bolt – but he has a permanent shock of while hair (which, secretly he’s rather pleased with and finds quite “dashing”). Having survived he earned 370 experience (50 for discovering the Genie, 120 for spells cast, 200 for the four treasure his warband hauled off) bringing him to 13^th level! Among the treasures he collected 470 gold (including the 300 for selling the lamp!) Two Grimoires (Mind Control and Scatter shot – which he already had a copy of, so was able to sell this one for another 250 gold!) two scrolls ( Brew Potion and Furious Quill), and a Magic Dagger (+1 Damage… so a dagger that doesn’t cause the regular -1 damage…). Among the other casualties taken, both knights will miss a game, his archer was blasted beyond repair, and the Treasure Hunter and Barbarian recovered.

Silverbeard, Rick’s Enchanter. Despite all his caution and hiding, gained 500 experience - catapulting him to NINTH level (110 for spells cast, 100 for the two treasures, 60 for the level difference, and 230 for enemies taken out – a wizard and two others!). His warband suffered only three casualties who all survived. Among the Treasures he recovered he found 60 gold and a magic Sword (+2 damage) and Magic Leather Armour (+1).

B’ob also survived the Elemental Bolt that too him out of action – but his leg was permanently damaged. He gained 210 experience (30 for spells, 10 for treasure, 80 for the level difference). His apprentice, Crossbowman and Thugs all survived, more or less unscathed, but the Thief died and Bartholomew Malcolm Underhill III will have to miss a game. Among his treasure he found 230 gold a Grimoire containing the Curse spell and three potions (two of Strength, one of Invulnerability).

Perrian staggered off the table with ONE HEALTH! He gained 470 experience! (80 for spells, 190 for taking out B’ob and some other soldier, 100 for treasure, 80 for the level difference and 20 for his laboratory). Svetlana the Treasure Hunter and Altulian the Archer will miss a game due to their injuries. Altarius and Gorvak were okay  and the new Small Construct was repairable. The Medium Construct was, however, smashed beyond repair by the magic sword-wielding Knight… Among the Treasures he collected 320 gold and Magic Dagger (+2 damage) – which he sold for another 150 gold.

We’ve not been allowing warbands to just buy any old magic item, potion or grimoire willy-nilly (because that’s just silly!). I’ve been meaning to have a merchant caravan show up with a limited number of random items for sale each week – and FINALLY remembered to do that this week! Of the ten items I rolled up only the Grimoire of Control Construct was snatched up (by Perrian the Enchanter – no more will his have B’ob dispelling his constructs and having them rampage around the table!)

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

I have a bunch of English Civil War figures I’ve finished painting this week tha I’ll be posting shortly… Other than that it’ll probably be next week’s Skrimish Saturday Night game(s) – I have been working on a new campaign system for Song of Blades and Heroes I’m hoping to roll out with next week for those interested to try… 

Clubmen and Cuirassiers

A few more things for the Englsih Civil war finished up over the weekend.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version):

The rest of the Clubmen from Warlord Games.

An English Civil War Marksmen – also from Warlord Games. I love this figure - if you can't make it out, he has a spyglass laying on a leather satchel in front of him. 

An English Officer and Gentleman of the same period from Old Glory.

Two English Cuirassiers – also from Old Glory.

A few more of the same – based for DBA-x

The Cuirassiers above pictured with an element I previously painted – I may field these all together as a unit for a One-Hour Wargames English Civil War battle I might run for the kids sometime soon-ish – just to try out the rules.

In Other News...

Our Friendly Local Game Store - Dragon's Den Games - had it's 21st Anniversary sale over the weekend. The Boy picked up Smash Up: Munchkin. The Girl picked up Magic Labyrinth, The Hare & The Tortoise, an old metal Eldar Farseer for 40K and some Warmachine miniature she liked the look of...? I picked up a few games (Bios: Megafauna, Expedition Northwest Passage, and the Unseen Forces expansion for Elder Sign), some paint and an old metal Primaris Psyker...

I think over the long weekend coming up I might get some terrain-making done - and hopefully a bunch of GAMING! (Though Amanda will probably want to do something more "productive" like... yard work...). 

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

Probably some more Englsih Civil War or Seven Years War stuff.

Frostgrave: Hunt for the Golem – Part One

This week Dave and Patrick stopped by to have a go at Frostgrave. They made their wizards and warbands and then Amanda and The Boy joined them for Scenario One of the Hunt for the Golem mini campaign. The Girl sat this one out - she is part way through the Deathly Hallows and didn't want to stop reading!

SCENARIO

This scenario is a bit different from the others we’ve played in that there is no treasure on the table at the start – instead the warband have come across a grizzly scene – and entire warband wiped out in a most vicious and cruel way

While such sights are not uncommon in the Frozen City, the sheer savagery that ahs been inflicted on the bodies gives pause to even the most hardened adventurers. The corpses are crushed and torn – some have been pounded into the ground; others twisted around ancient masonry…

There are only bodies lying about – whenever a member of a warband moves into contact with one they roll and consult a chart – they could find treasure… or the body could rise up as a zombie and attack… or it could be a survivor that needs some healing (but will fight for you if you do heal them)… or it could be… the Golem Notes!

FORCES

Dave’s Warband was lead by B’ob, a Sigilist, and his apprentice D’oug. He also brought with him S’ara, a Thief, P’awl, a Ranger, Sh’oot, a Crossbowman, four thuggish brothers named D’ork, P’ork, C’ork, and T’ork, and an infantryman names Bartholemew Malcolm Underhill III.

Patrick played Perrian the Enchanter and his warband. Under Perrian was his Apprentice, Baldwin, two Thieves – Toby and Pierre, two brother Archers, Altulian and Altarius, and two Men-At-Arms – Brunhilde and Gorvak Thrice-Scorched. Before the game Perrian completed the construction of Perrian mk.I (based on the designs of Faltuvius Mortelion)

The Boy returned with Akzar Kallesel the Necromancer and his warband. Akzar Kallesel is now Eighth Level and I don’t remember what he has with him these days…. He raised a zombie before the game…?

Amanda returned with her Thaumaturge, who – now being TENTH LEVEL – finally has a name…. Hermione…. and her Apprentice in Ginny… yeah… I think she did that so that if The Girl ever shows up in a game again she won’t attack Amanda’s warband (The Girl has powered through the Harry Potter series this summer and is just finishing up the Deathly Hallows – and is a big fan of Hermione and Ginny….)

THE GAME

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Dave, Patrick, Amanda and The Boy - All set up and ready to go.

The warbands stumble onto the scene of carnage – bodies everywhere.

Hermione (seriously?!) teleported into the middle of the table and found nothing could be done for the poor mangled soul… but he did have some treasure he was hauling with him when he shuffled off this mortal coil… so… there’s that…

Perrian the Enchanter’s henchmen also searched the bodies of the dead warriors – and also found treasure!

B’ob’s Hoseheads shuffled into the ruins and found themselves a treasure among the bodies… but what’s this – a knight in the middle of it all… what could HE have!?

Almost the end of the Wizard Phase in Turn One. Bodies searched, treasures found… Okay this it turning out not THAT different from our regular games…

Until one of Akzar Kallesel’s men searched a body…

And it rose up as a zombie! (Truthfully, I think it was Akzar Kallesel that raised it as a practical joke against one of his own “You there, go search that body! [muffled incantation under breath] Woah! That one’s still got some fight in ‘im! Har Har! You should’a seen the look on yer face when ‘e got up! Har har!” – yeah, he’s THAT kind of Necromancer…)

(Except that all his minions are themselves mindless undead, so they don't even get the "joke"... yeah... he's THAT kind of Necromancer...)

Fierce action in one street of the Ruined City.

Hermione also spotted the Knight in the middle of the ruin and warned B’ob that it was HERS and he best steer clear of it! The rest of the Thaumaturge’s Warband has their eyes set on the two treasures Perrian the Enchanter’s warband has discovered…

Akzar Kallesel summoned and Imp – who was promptly attacked by a wandering Wolf! (and killed it…)

Toby’s trying to make off with his treasure and the Thaumaturge’s elves are giving chase! Meanwhile Hermione the Thaumaturge herself was beign swarmed by the Necromancer’s minions.

B’ob’s men searched the dead knight and found not treasure – but a collection of papers containing field notes about a specific golem that seems to have achieved some form of sentience!

Perrian the Enchanter’s apprentice, Baldwin, whisked away the treasure that S’ara had found, but not yet picked up. Altulian and Altarius sent arrows flying in her direction to dissuade her from pursuing it further!

Perrian the Enchanter has whisked away the treasure Gorvak Thrice-Scorched had discovered so the Thaumaturge’s elves wouldn’t be able to snatch it up after taking down Gorvak Thrice-Scorched! Brunhilde advanced – to either slow the elves advance – or perhaps exact a little revenge for her downed comrade! Toby – still dragging away his treasure under fire from the Elf Archers.

B’ob’s men slowly retire from the back of the ruin watching the vicious battle between the Thaumaturge and Nercomancer just out the front door… “we need not involve ourselves in that fight, lads…”

The battle between the Thaumaturge and Nercomancer. Though the new Treasure Hunter successfully hauled off the treasure she had – the Thaumaturge, ranger and both marksmen in this scene were all taken out by the Necromancer and his minions!

“Steady lads… Steady… We’ve got what we’ve come for… good first time out… now let’s get out of here and see what’s in this treasure!”

The Sigilist’s warband continues it’s tactical withdrawal – leaving exploding runes in its wake!

Just as Perrian the Enchanter’s warband was about to haul off two treasures – two wolves charged onto the table and attacked them! The thief actually won the combat and pushed the wolf out of combat – on the next turn he nipped off the table with the treasure. Altulian and Altarius were not so lucky – both were taken out by the wolves (though Baldwin made it off with their second treasure there!).

Then an Ice Toad wandered into the battle – right in the path of the Elves escape route!

Just as B’ob’s warband had almost successfully completed its tactical withdrawal from the field of battle – a furious bear roared onto the scene and took down D’oug the Apprentice!

The Thaumaturge’s Construct, despite the Apprentice and Ranger rushing to it’s aid, was partially crushed in the powerful jaws of the Ice Toad – the magic flowed out of it’s form and it was no more…

Perrian the Enchanter tried one last time to recover the treasure the Elves had scooped from his warriors – but was attacked by a wandering Ghoul and after dispatching the creature decided to call it a day.

Ginny (ugh… WHY!?) finished off the Ice Toad with her magic sword.

POST GAME

After the battle Perrian the Enchanter took stock. Toby the Theif was dead and his construct ruined beyond repair. Gorvak Thrice-Scorched and Altulian’s injuries were minor, but brunhilde’s and Altarius’ were more serious. Being the sort of wizard that is greatly concerned for his compatriots he paid a great deal of their earnings to have them healed (in game terms he fired them and hired new ones with the exact same name so he could have them back next game and not have them miss a game). The engagement was fruitful and many things were learned – he took copious notes about the Large Construct they encountered and the tactics of the Elves they faced. He gained 280 experience from the game (110 for the level difference, 70 for spells successfully cast and 100 for the two treasures they made off with). Among the treasures they recovered 230 gold was collected as well as Grimoires of Bones of the Earth and Animal Companion.

B’ob also gained much knowledge in this encounter – 230 experience was gained (110 for the level difference, 40 for spells, 50 for treasure, and 30 for the Golem Notes). D’oug, it turns out was fine – he was in fact not mauled by the bear, but had actually just fainted. In his solitary treasure B’ob found 40 gold and a Grimoire of Enchant Weapon.

Akzar Kallesel the Necromancer gained 190 experience – bringing him to TENTH LEVEL (30 for the level difference, 100 for treasures, and 60 for spells cast) – MWA-HA-HA-Ha-Ha-ha-haaaaaaa. The Skeletal Knight (with the +2 magic Sword), which always seems to be getting smashed into a pile of bones each game, was repairable and made ready for action in oru next game! Among the treasure he found 100 gold, and Grimoire of Forget Spell, and a Staff of Power (3) – MWA-HA-HA-Ha-Ha-ha-haaaaaaa….

Hermione was okay, her wounds were nothing a little healing spell couldn’t take care of. One of the Thugs and the Marksman (with the Magic Crossbow) were also not-too-badly off. The other thug  will miss a game, recovering from his injuries, but Winifred (the ohte Marksman) and Lief the Ranger died of their wounds. The Construct was also crushed beyond repair by the Ice Toad. The Thaumaturge gained 130 experience (100 for treasure and 30 for spells) and collected 625 gold(!?) and a Grimoire of Will Power

I like the mini campaign so far. Hopefully we’ll get to play Scenario Two: Field Research soon!

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

More game reports…? More English Civil War miniatures…? 

Clubmen, Rangers and Critters

A few more items rolling off the workbench…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version):

“Clubmen” from Warlord Games. These would be villagers who volunteered to defend their village against raiders – from either side – looking for “contributions” for their respective armies.

British Rangers from the Seven Years War (we’ll be reading about that soon enough) – so I thought I’d get some figures ready for Song of Drums and Tomahawks. – figures are from Old Glory.

Eagle (Reaper Miniatures) and one more Giant Rat (Games Workshop).

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

Played another game of Frostgrave last night, hopefully I’ll get a quick game report up today sometime…