Great Battles of History: The Battle of Five Armies (What do you mean it's fictional? Shame on you!)

The Wood Elves of Mirkwood Forest, under the command of King Thanduril and accompanied by Thorin Okenshield attempt to stem the tide of the Evil (BWAH HAH HAH) onslaught.

Over the Christmas break Honorable Son #5 (The Skirmisher) and myself played an oldie but goodie: Games Workshops' The Battle of Five Armies. The Battle of Five Armies using the Warmaster rules concept, one of the more innovative sets of rules developed. We see its influence, combat and activation system in many subsequent rules that have been written. Sadly, it is out of production.

The Field of Battle.

The scenario is faithful to The Hobbit and is one of the most play balanced games I have ever participated. I have played the Evil Side (BWAH HAH HAH!) and the Forces of Good equally and I win, with both sides, about 50% of the time. In addition the game is a nail biter just like in The Hobbit. And with the 10 mm figures it looks like there are actual units lined up ready to fight.

"Halt!" cried Gandalf, who appeared suddenly, and stood alone, with arms uplifted, between the advancing dwarves and the ranks awaiting them. "Halt!" he called in a voice like thunder, and his staff blazed forth with a flash like lightning. "Dread has come upon you all! Alas! It has come more switly than I guesses. The Goblins are upon you! Bolg of the North is coming!

For this iteration I was going to be the Wood Elves, the Dwarves, the men of Lake Town and the Eagles. Honorable Son #5 (The Skirmisher) would be the Goblins, Wargs, and Goblin Riders (BWAH HAH HAH).

Dain of the Iron Hills.

King Thanduril, father of Legolas, of the Wood Elves.

King Bard of River Town, the Slayer of Smaug.

The Elvish Army deploy on the Eastern Spur to the right of Thorin's Gate.

In the scenario, all of the Forces of Good (except the Eagles and Beorn) are deployed while the Army of Bolg deploys his Wargs and Wolf riders. The Goblin infantry each turn must roll a six sided die to determine how many goblins units arrive. Traditionally they arrive helter skelter allowing the Forces of Good time to deploy, disrupt attacks and buy time for the Eagles and/or Beorn to show up.

Thorin's Gate.

Thorin and Company. Once Thorin Oakenshield passes a command roll, the gate comes crashing done and the mighty warrior and fellow companions enter the fray.

The Dwarven Army under Dain Ironfoot and the men of Lake Town under the command of King Bard await the enemy onslaught.

Usually when I play the Forces of Good I am more cautious as it is easy to get overwhelmed or outflanked by the faster Wargs and Wolf riders. This time I decided to be more agressive, advance with all of my forces and combine them near the ford and wait for the Eagles and /or Beorn to show up.

Bolg.

Bolg and his bodyguard marching through the ruins of Dale.

To make a long story short; for once the goblins moved onto the table like maniacs. The Forces of Evil (BWAH HAH HAH!) fought a sacrificial delaying action to keep the men and dwarves out of the main battle (and I had trouble getting the men and dwarves activated!). The Elves were left to face the full fury of Bolg and the goblins in the open. The Eagles and Beorn never showed up. It was not pretty but we went down fighting!

What the Eagles look like.

Beorn. He is like a panzer tank going through butter if he arrives.

Here are some pictures from the battle:

A hearty handshake, some laughter and another game well done. Now where is my ring, pipe and hot chocolate?

 

Pulp Alley Miniatures

As I have expanded my gaming interests into skirmish and large skirmish games, I have been reliving the thrilling adventures of my youth in lost worlds, other planets, and most of all, defeating the sinister bad guys. I first started skirmish/large skirmish gaming with Games Workshops Lord of the Rings series of games and fell in love with the concept with the games published by Daniel Mersey including Dragon Rampant, The Men Who Would be Kings and Rebels and Patriots.

For skirmish games I love In Her Majesty's Name which is set in the year 1895 allowing players to incorporate Jules Vernes, H. G. Wells and play with iconic characters like Tarzan, Sherlock Holmes and Allan Quartermain. What I love most about the rules is the character generation system and to be honest, I have allowed a bit of time travel to bring some of my favorite Pulp characters into the late 19th Century.

"Pulp Girl" from Pulp Alley Miniatures.

A game I will be trying soon is Pulp Alley, a game designed for adventures from about 1900 to the start of and through World War II (Think Raiders of the Lost Ark.) They have their own line of miniatures that are fascinating; beautifully sculpted, animated and nicely proportioned. They come in packs of two with 20mm bases included and character cards for the game. My only complaint (very minor) is that the from the descriptions of their characters, they don't have the characters that are associated with each other in the same packs. For example it is described that "Pulp Girl" and Mak O'Reilly are associates, put they come in different packs with another figure that is an associate of another figure, etc. Oh well . . . good marketing to buy more figures!

 Another view of "Pulp Girl". A female figure that actually looks realistic and I love the gauntlet! 

I did not use the 20mm bases that came with the figures but mounted them instead on 25mm bases for the simple reason that all of my man-sized skirmish figures are mounted on 25mm bases. I look forward to purchasing the game Pulp Alley and I have a feeling that the first figures I have purchased will first show up as part of the aerial contingent of the US Navy.

 "Mak O'Reilly."

 "Phantom Ace."

 "Gauge." This is Phantom Ace's trusty mechanic and based on the figure description, quite the inventor. One of my favorites so far.

I added an upside down screw and washer to give the appearance of a machine or engine she is working on.

This is "Zdenko Cerny" who I am using as Professor Calculus. 

Since I easily succumb to the "Shiny new object" syndrom, there will be some more heroes - and villains, appearing over the next few month. 

 "Now where did Pulp Girl run off too?