Today was another chance to play the Osprey game Ronin.
I had in mind a rescue scenario.
One member of the Flying Herons, Matsura (Yumi), had been detained over a brawl in the sake bar where he killed a villager The villagers had sent a messenger to the local lord and were expecting some guards to take him for a hearing.
Kiso, the leader of The Flying Herons had sent another member to find out why Matsura hadn't returned. When he was informed he was held in the rice barn awaiting escorting for trial the decision was quickly taken to rescue him.
I took the decision at the start that the gang would have to exit the table from the entry side. Which is the open side of the village. This was intended to make it a little harder for the gang to escape.
The villagers, beside having some people in the village, would enter from any of the other 3 sides. The dice deciding which side and when.
The Ashigaru would enter from the open side but in one corner, to be diced for.
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| The Flying Herons, from the left as viewed -Kiso, Soma, Kaneko and Matsura |
The village is quiet as the men enter. Most of the villagers are in the fields. A guard, three men, one seated on bags, one pulling a cart and another on the veranda of a house were the only villagers present beside one female villager. I used random movement for the actions of these villagers. The few villagers take little notice not suspecting their intent.
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| They move towards the nearest villager. |
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| Seeming to make enquiry. |
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| Villagers return from working |
An unexpectedly early return!
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| The Ashigaru appear, led by the Gashira |
Both groups appearing on the same turn. Not the best of luck for the Flying Herons.
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| The guard is rushed and killed! |
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| Matsura is freed! |
The escape is on. Which way? Villagers coming from houses and the fields opposite
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| The commotion brings villagers from the houses |
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| More villagers come from working and hear the noise. What's happened? |
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| Make haste! Something is happening! |
The ashigaru hear the noise and ready themselves for trouble.
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| Exit stage right! |
Dodging behind the house gives the gang cover from sight
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| The villagers and ashigaru give chase. Except for the villager running away! |
I used dice to determine which way the ashigaru would go.
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| Into the bamboo grove to escape |
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| The villagers see the gang escaping. |
Not a lot of sword action but it was closer than it actually looks.
I diced for:-
The number of villagers at the start.
When the Ashigaru would enter.
When (if) any villagers would enter from the field
How many if they did, by average die
From which direction they would enter from
The number of villagers coming from the houses when, if, the alarm was raised. Again, by average die. Only two.
The direction the ashigaru would take when chasing the gang.
The gang were lucky that the villagers all came from the far side of the village. They could have come from the side where they dodged around the house putting them in a real quandary. Or from behind the village elders house at the closed end of the village.
I was always wondering if more villagers were going to appear and from which direction.
A good ending.
I have a fourth gang to introduce, 'The Wild Boars'. Next time
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