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.

Snipers On The Veldt - A Boer War Game In 28mm.

Snipers On The Veldt

It's 1901 and Boer guerillas are everywhere, out on the veldt is a small patrol of Imperial Yeomanry. Just brought in from Great Britain and full of derring do, these warriors of Empire are out searching for an elusive enemy, watching up on a kopje a group of Boer snipers are waiting.

Just a little closer, and.......shots are fired! Whether it was excitement, fear or a bit of both, but it seems the Boers fired too early, and they all missed their mark, the Yeomanry at first don't know what to do, but they soon dismount and take cover.

There is a brisk too and fro, bullets ricochet off rocks and whizz past ears, each side know approximately where the enemy is but not exactly as men duck and change position, just the odd sighting and a close shave.

The Yeomanry commander shows his inexperience and orders a frontal attack, the Boers kill one of them the instant he shows his head, but the attack presses on.

In the melee two more troopers are wounded, one fatally, and the commander is eventually killed also. One of the Boers receives a nasty wound. The boers take up their wounded comrade and disappear, the Yeomanry are left with their dead and wounded.