The Snootypants Massacre

The crew of the S.S. Huntingdon kept a close eye on the woods that formed a line across the island. A hunting party led by Sir Reginald Snootypants had entered the woods hours ago. They expected him to return soon.

Suddenly, a bedraggled figure burst from the woods. He was limping but still ran as fast as he could towards the shore. Then the crew heard them, the growls of the teddy bears.

"Covering fire!" yelled the bosun. The crew began firing their rifles at the hug (group) of teddies. This deterred them. The figure was able to reach the boats and escape the island.

What Happened to Sir Reginald?

The figure was Archibald Stout, one of Sir Reginald's companions. He was able to tell the story of the Snootypants massacre.

The expedition (green token) entered the woods. Unbeknownst to them, a hug of teddy bears snuck up on them.

Surprise attack! The teddies maimed some of their party, but Sir Reginald and the other hunters drove them off. They also managed to secure a nice load of teddy bear fur.

The expedition advanced into the interior. They ran into some more teddy bears.

Despite getting the drop on the teddies, the expedition failed to inflict much damage. Instead, the teddies mauled the hunters. Sir Reginald's party retreated.

But Sir Reginald would not be called a coward. He insisted that the party renew the fight.

As more (right) approach the fray, the teddies finish the job.

Archibald just managed to escape the horror.

GAME NOTES

On Wednesday, I mentioned my silly idea about a teddy bear hunting game, with the player taking the role of the teddies. I decided to do a little experiment.

Here are some highlights of the game.

• I divided the board into a 3 by 4 grid. I randomly rolled for terrain.
• I used my modern counters - brown infantry for the teddies and a green heavy infantry for the hunters.
• I kept it simple by only using 1 group of hunters. I randomly rolled 3 groups of teddies.
• Every turn, I rolled randomly (D6+1) to determine what the hunters did.
• 1 = retreat 1 space
• 2 = move left 1 space
• 3 = move right 1 space
• 4 = move forward 1 space
• 5-6 = search (look for hidden teddies)
• Hunters subtracted 1 from the activation die roll for each wound.
• Teddies did not move unless they became alerted to the hunters' presence.
• Teddies only checked if (a) hunters were within 2 spaces or (b) teddies became active within 2 spaces.
• Teddies had to roll 4+ to become alert to the hunters. Otherwise, they stayed put.
• Teddies could move, sneak (move into the hunters square while remaining hidden), or attack.
• Combat was decided like Dominion of. Hunters were missile troops while teddies were melee.
• Hunters could take 3 wounds; teddies only 1.

All in all, an interesting game. I will play it again, perhaps with more groups of hunters and more hugs of teddies.

Terrifying Teddies

This is another odd "project" I'm contemplating.

It started with a completely unrelated post on the Wargames Website about thatched roofs for miniatures. Someone recommended using " teddy bear fake fur." Well, that got me wondering if there was teddy bear real fur. Then I started thinking about hunters shooting and skinning teddy bears for their fur. And then I thought that it could be a game!

Immediately, I thought of Palaeo Diet with the Pulp expansion. I envision a magical island where teddy bears roam free. But Pulp-era hunters descend on the island in search of prized teddy bear fur.

My problem with hunting games in general is that I find myself rooting for the animals. I asked Chat GPT to help me find some rules where you play the animals vs. automated hunters. There were none, but Chat GPT made some for me. Perhaps I should test them.

Anyway, as I mentioned, this is an odd project. Like many of my crazy ideas, I don't expect to do much with it. So don't hold your breath.

Hannibal Halted

The Twelve Foes of Rome Campaign

The next chapter of the campaign.

This time, we go to the Second Punic War (218 to 201 BC). Hannibal invades Italy.

Now, Bellicosus the Younger, ancestor of the great Bellicosus (our fictional hero) gets the call to defend the Republic.

Battle of Lake Betria

Bellicosus confronts Hannibal in northern Italy.

Hannibal's Gauls burst from some woods. A Roman legion drives them off. Meanwhile, the center legion advances. It is bloodied but manages to defeat the Carthaginian spears.

Bellicosus brings up the Italian allies in the center. The legion on the left continues its victorious ways. On the right, the Roman cavalry defeats its Carthaginian counterpart. Hannibal fails to rally them.

Bellicosus wins in his first encounter with Hannibal.

Battle of Taurus Plain

Bellicosus chases Hannibal into Iberia.

The Romans attack. Their legion defeats the Carthaginian cavalry while the Italian allies drive off the elephants.

The Carthaginian spears are victorious in the center but the Italian allies have continued success.

There is a stand-off in the center. But this makes Hannibal's position untenable. He retires.

With this success, Bellicosus drives Hannibal from Iberia.

Battle of the Carthage Canal

Bellicosus invades Africa.

The Roman advance wipes out the Carthaginian cavalry in the center and on the right. The Roman cavalry is blown.

Intense, bloody battle on the left and center. The legions are spent but the Carthaginian infantry break.

It's down to the elephants vs. Italian allies. The allies nearly break, but Bellicosus rallies them. Then they manage to take down the beasts.

With its army destroyed, the Carthaginians have no choice but to sue for peace.

Bellicosus the Younger has earned laurels on par with his illustrious ancestor!

Massacre in Miami

An Invasion Florida scenario

As part of a grand invasion of the US, Cuban Communists (CuComms) landed in South Florida. They seized Homestead Air Force Base. Now a column advances through Miami. But Cuban exiles wait for a chance to strike back.

Opposing Forces

• CuComms - 3 regulars, 1 elite infantry (counts as bayonets), 1 light armor, and 1 helicopter (fire support)
• Cuban exiles - 2 irregulars, 1 unreliable irregulars, 1 zealous exiles (counts as bayonets). The front line exiles are in buildings (defensive advantage).

In addition, there is an American Air Force plane in the area that can provide fire support for the Americans.

The Battle

As the CuComm column advances through the streets of Miami, the exiles strike.

The zealous exiles rush out an destroy the armor. But the CuComm elite infantry wipe out the irregulars.

 

The elites then run off the exiles' reinforcements. However, an American Air Force plane that was circling the area has spotted the battle. It strikes the CuComms.

CuComm regulars drive off the zealous exiles.

Then more regulars get into the fray (left), driving off the last of the irregulars.

The Air Force jet breaks off. The CuComms can continue their advance.

GAME NOTES

• I need to create some streets.
• I played this with Dominion of Rice and Napalm
• I used the American rules for fire support for both sides in this battle. I did not think that a Communist opening bombardment made sense in this scenario.

More LARP Distractions

I'm still focusing on LARP lately.

Right now I am putting together a guide for new player's on garbing up for the game. Here is a preview of that guide.

In the guide, I explain how you can build a kit starting with mundane clothing items. or example, you can use a t-shirt and sweatpants to create this kit.

The Pace Slows

No battle report for today. Other things going on lately

LARP Distractions

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been busy with some "smithing" for LARP,

It started when one of our members made some pirate ships to use as targets.

In exchange, I offered to make a spear. I went to purchase a fiberglass core but the rods only came in 5' or 10' lengths. I wanted a 6' core so I went with the 10' and cut it down.

Once I finished the spear, I had a 4' core. I turned that into a two-hand sword.

Someone asked for a buckler. I made one; didn't like it, so I made another.

Finally, we did a build day. I participated for a bit. I ended up with a partially-finished, one-handed sword. I completed it last weekend.

Here is some of my handiwork - two bucklers and the one-hand sword.

Twelve Foes of Rome

I actually played out the next installment of the Twelve Foes of Rome. It's the Hannibal edition. I plan to post it in March.

Bellicosus vs. Pyrrhus

Twelve Foes of Rome Campaign

Continuing with my Twelve Foes of Rome campaign.

Last time, Bellicosus (our fictional hero) conquered the Etruscans and Samnites.

Now, long after his retirement, the Senate calls him back into service to face Pyrrhus.

The First Battle

Bellicosus takes the initiative on the left. His light cavalry routs Pyrrhus's archers. But the Italian allies flee from the elephants.

The light horse (left) take out Pyrrhus's cavalry.

But then get overrun by reserve cavalry.

The Italian cavalry (left) hold! Meanwhile, a legion sacrifices itself to drive off the elephants.

This leaves Pyrrhus's pikes alone. They withdraw.

The Second Battle

Bellicosus pursues Pyrrhus and brings him to battle outside Tarentum.

Once again, Bellicosus's light horse drives off Pyrrhus's cavalry! 

And the elephants lose to a legion!

The legions press forward, routing the left and center.

Utterly defeated, Pyrrhus must retire from Italy.

Bellicosus receives a triumph in Rome!

GAME NOTES

Oops, I forget to use generals for rallying. Oh well.

My new box saw action.

Here is my "Big Battle" box. It's designed to hold 4x6 inch photographs.

Unpacking the box. I laid out my felt battlefield. The small square boxes in the Big Battle box hold armies and markers. Rules, on index cards, sit in the open lid.