Ottoman Attack North of The Danube -- A Table Top Game in 28mm.

 

Ottoman forces have crossed the Danube and are raiding at will, only a few fortified towns are able to resist, but the Ottomans have brought help in the shape of bombards. These cumbersome monsters are slow and heavy, especially along the muddy tracks of Wallachia, but when brought to bear they are deadly.

Those within the walls were fairly confident they could withstand a siege, help would surely arrive eventually, they were more afraid of one of Vlad's stakes that a Turkish axe. Outside the walls the peasants were told to defend themselves as best they could, the men and women armed themselves with weapons more suited to battling Mother Earth that Turks.

The bombard roared into life, it was more when than if the walls would be breached, the fear was palpable. Suddenly the Ottoman cavalry charged, the first attack would be on the village. 

The sound of thundering hooves grew nearer, the poor people braced themselves, then suddenly cavalry swarmed around the buildings and weapons clashed. The peasants fought valiantly but they were no match for the experienced Sipahi.

Finally, with a huge crash the wall was breached, the bombard was only two shots from running out of ammunition, very bad luck for the townspeople. A cry went up and the Ottoman forces rushed for the gaps, inside the Wallachians prepared for the upcoming battle.

In the village the peasants were slaughtered, and their homes put to the torch. A couple of Sipahi stayed to block anyone escaping from the town, the rest galloped around to the open walls to join the fight.

The fighting in the town was vicious, but alas rather one sided. The townsfolk were eventually overrun, with their backs against the wall they knew what they had to do.

Throwing themselves on to the tender mercies of the Ottomans, the remaining knights were spared for the possible ransom they could get out of the Boyars, the rest were killed. Before moving on the Turks raised their standard and looted the town.

A Vampire In London - A Hunt For The Undead in 28mm.

Strange and bizzare attacks have been reported in the local press, the police are baffled, and locals are scared. Is it the Ripper come back to haunt them? Our intrepid group of paranormal investigators take up the case, they will ask the questions the police won't, and go places the police daren't.

Meeting up in the graveyard seemed the obvious place, here the team discussed their strategy, "let's split up into two groups, that way we'll save time, we only have until sundown," that's always a good plan, so off they went to investigate.

Mrs Harker's group headed down Wells Street, not the best move, but a brave one! Here, after asking some questions that would normally sound barmy, the local roughs decided they had had enough of it and attacked them. After a swift melee our investigators came out of it remarkably well, so they went to the pub.

The day was disappearing fast and our investigators had only managed to annoy people so far, Dr Seward's team eventually got some decent leads which led them to an old coachworks in the railway arches. A couple of well made searches netted a coffin, definitely something you wouldn't find in a coachworks they thought, so they set fire to it, one down, probably several to go.

A much needed break in the case came just as the teams were leaving the pubs they had found, both teams got a tip off about strange happenings in the old factory and warehouse on Drovers Lane. Both teams hurried to the location as they were now running out of daylight.

"We found a coffin and burnt it," said Van Helsing, "hopefully we'll find another one in here." After a few goes the door gave way and they were in, "it's bloody dark in here," said Arthur, with a flash the whole room was illuminated! There, before them was the vampire, they had hit the jackpot! 

Rushing forward with only minutes to go before sundown, our heroes battled the undead. Hissing and clawing its way around the room it managed to give Mr Morris a vicious wound that will most likely kill him. The other investigators rounded the undead up with crucifixes and pinned it into a corner where Van Helsing dealt it a killing blow with a stake.

As Morris's life trickled away Dr Seward said "what the hell are we going to do now, how are we going to explain this to the police?"

"I don't think we can," replied Van Helsing, "there's only one thing for it, RUN!"

This was a great game of pure chance that the description and photos do not do justice to, a very enjoyable time was had. GS.

A Criminal's Revenge - A Victorian Tabletop Game In 28mm

It's been quiet down Hobbs End way recently, just the odd break in and a punch up or two on a Friday night. It was last Saturday when DI Bolton got the nod that something wasn't right on the manor.

Hobbs End High Street on a Saturday Evening.

With his trusty Sergeant Theakston, Bolton went around the usual snouts asking awkward questions, most were cagey, nothing new there, but one was very helpful, that should have been a warning. Bill was where he always was, selling "snake oil potions" in the market, he told the detectives a man was asking about Bolton, also, he could be found behind Wells Street in Hobbs Lane, "it would be worff ya while, honest Guv."

Bill the snake oil salesman.

The quickest way to Hobbs Lane was up the alleyway off the High Street, no sooner had they turned into the cramped and claustrophobic Hobbs Lane than the trap was sprung. Four nasty looking bruisers blocked all the exits, they were cornered. Theakston managed to get out three sharp blasts on his whistle before pandemonium broke out.

 

Although the detectives gave a good account of themselves, it wasn't enough. They were soon getting a bloody good hiding. What seemed like ages passed before whistles were heard and three constables, truncheons out, came running up Hobbs Lane. The thugs scattered, tearing up Hobbs Lane with coppers in pursuit, Bolton and Theakstone lay on the ground.

The attackers managed to escape, the police were far more interested in getting the detectives to the infirmary, requisitioning a passing cart the two men were transported to the Thrift Infirmary, and into the tender mercies of Dr Marsham and Nurse Carr.

A few days later, battered, bruised and bloody annoyed, our two detectives were out again trying to find out what the hell was going on. A good tip off from a frightened looking shopkeeper in the High Street had them heading over to the church, this time a little more cautiously.

Sure enough, it was a trap. Although, only two of the thugs appeared this time, due to the injuries the policemen had sustained, they probably thought that two was enough, they were wrong.

This time the fight was short and to the point, both villains were soon dropped and as there was no one around, a bit of on the spot questioning was put to them both. One wouldn't squeal, but the other one did, then he told the detectives who they were working for.

"It's Monk.....Merry Monk", said the bloke pinned to the wall between persuasive blows from Bolton, "Who the bloody hell is Merry Monk, and why does he want me hurt?" said Bolton. 

Theakston then spoke up while sitting on the other miscreant, "Sounds like Monkton, Zephaniah Monkton, we sent him down for a few years, he was breaking rocks in Portland Gaol last I heard."

'Where is he?" Bolton was not playing, and an address was forthcoming. "Get these buggers out of my sight," said Bolton as three constables arrived. "Let's get Merry bloody Monk!"

The thugs are escorted to Drovers Yard Police Station

With a couple of coppers out front, just in case, the rest batter down the back door and haul Mr Monkton into a black mariah, "Back to the quarry with you Mister not-so Merry Monkton" laughed Theakston, who then regretted it as his ribs still hurt.

I use a system of cards to make the scenario play out, they give you a base, the dodgy dice do the rest. It's fun and I enjoy the story as it emerges.