Mars is dying...

Mars is dying...

Not through fault or neglect or wicked reason, not even because of the Gods; though some would say this is so. Mars is dying because it is old.

For time beyond count, our world has floated with the orb of the sun god, basking in the everwarmth that it provides, the Martian brothers sailing around giving constant company.

The Ancients warned the death of Mars might be so. Long, long ago; before the Storm. It is said the Storm lasted for an age or more: I for one, do not believe this to be true even though the clan elders warn me against foolish words.

There are still some Ancient writings in the deep deserts for those who wish to learn and are willing to brave sandstorms and the creatures that live there. Most of our knowledge from before the Storm comes from stories told around the clan fires, told again and again, embellished ever so lightly with each clan teller so who knows what is true and what is not.

With each storm season, the Ancient houses and temples disappear and reappear so fast that is easy to loose them completely, Gods know how large their cites were or what final secrets they contain. Three whole clans have been lost searching for the chief city with no sign or call from them these long years past.

But now we have new troubles and concerns. The Earthers have come to Mars: to steal and pillage what they can and to take it away to their blue world. Curse them to the Gods! They have no right, no honour and no need to be here. Like parasites they come here destroying whatever they touch and leaving mayhem in their wake.

They must be sent back across the sky ocean to their blue world.

They must be stopped.

It must happen now!

Friday 20 June 2014

Softlove's Drift AAR:


A Dr Death production, starring Malamute as Captain Sebastian Softlove and Jimbibbly as Sergeant Rawley Ruffbrute



The game was played on a 4 x 4 board with the abandoned farm in the centre.  All three players played earthers, with the martians following a simple 'arrive and attack the nearest earthers' rule.

Martian arrivals: There were 8 entry points, two on each edge. At the start of each turn 4 cards were drawn from a standard deck of playing cards, with a heart indicating Martians 2-10 + 8 figures, A,J,Q,K = 16 figures. More of which later . . .  

Forces involved: 2 units of The Prince's Own (10 figures each), 1 unit of The Camel Corp (10 figures) A detachment of Imperial Japanese (5 figs), the medicals and commissariat (5 figures) and some civilians (5 figures)
There was no limit to the number of martians available, cards drawn from the deck were discarded to be reshuffled once the deck had been exhausted

Game length: A d10 was rolled at the end of each turn and a cumulative total kept.  When the total reached 35 or more the aeroneff arrived to rescue the survivors. Once in place over the farm 2d10 were rolled each turn and a total kept, a total of 30+ indicating all survivors were aboard and the game complete.

And now to the pictures:


Table layout from above with numbers showing the 8 entry points:


William Tickel tends to Private Partts


The troops stand to


Improvised defences: the medical wagon is used to block one of the openings


The Camel Corps troopers prepare to defend the animal pens


While Softlove commands the troops overlooking the crop field


The first of the Martian units attack, probing Softlove's defensive ring but are easily repulsed by the withering fire of the Prince's Own


A second unit attempts a similar attack but us also repulsed


A third Martian unit attacks from the South


However it transpires that these initial attacks are only to test for a weakness in the defence. Which they find and then launch a massed attack (or in real terms, the start of turn cards include the 5, 8 and Q of Hearts for a total of 32 Martians, and Bibbly manages to roll 4 sixes so they all arrive in the same place!!)


The assault begins


The main force charges the wagon barricade which is now defended by the Camel Corp troopers


While a smaller group attacks Ruffbrute's position


The fighting is bloody and desperate 



But help is in sight. As the assaulting wave of Martians hits the barricades the rescue party comes into view


The Martians start to break through


But the neff is now over the farm and loading passengers


With the ship full to capacity, the captain gives the order to return to New Victoria, leaving those unable to be carried to continue the fight with the Martians


The game finished at this point, with all the civilians and notable individuals aboard it was deemed a success for the Earthers.  Not sure the unfortunate souls left behind to continue the fight would agree though...

Will Softlove's return be hailed or renounced, stay tured to find out.

6 comments:

  1. Game looks smashing! Love the PBI catching it in the chest. Brilliant!

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  2. Bravo Sir, splendid looking game. Those buildings get more impressive and good to see the gunship from different angles give me lots of ideas.

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  3. Many thanks chaps :-)

    More to follow in the coming days...

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  4. To bad the Neff didn't seem to leaned any support with the pom pom and Gatling gun. Would really help considering those Martians seem to really mop it up close.
    As always a very well set up table with great narrative play.

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  5. Unfortunately the neff was only supposed to be a transport neff but I didn't finish the actual one in time lol

    Hopefully for next time ;-)

    cheers

    James

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  6. Beautiful game. Those Brits are just perfectly done.

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