Poems for wargamers 11 Ragnar Lodbrok

Hi!

The Lay of Kraka is a skaldic poem consisting of a monologue in which Ragnar Lodbrok is dying in Aellas snake pit and looks back at a life full of heroic deeds

Lay of Kraka (Krákumál)

We hewed with the brand!
Long since we went to Gotaland for the slaying of the Worm,
There I won Thora and my name of Leathern-Breeches,
Since I pierced that serpent through, with my blade of inlaid steel.

We hewed with the brand!
Young was I when east of Oere-sound we made good breakfast for the wolves,
While our steels sang on the high-crested helms much food did they find,
Blood-stained the sea, the ravens waded through.

We hewed with the brand!
Ere twenty years passed o’er us, high-borne were our spears,
At Dvina’s mouth in the far east eight jarls did we lay low,
Warriors died; the crimson death coloured the sea and ravens feasted.

We hewed with the brand!
The war-queen loved us when we sent the Helsinga to Odin’s halls,
Keen bit the feathered arrow when our ships reached Iva’s flood East Baltic ,
Gay was the music of sword on breast-plate and cleft shield.

We hewed with the brand!
Great was our courage when fierce Herraudr, ‘mid his winged steeds, died.
No jarl more fearless sent his framing coursers o’er the main;
His stout heart drove him, fearless, by the sea-fowls’ haunt.

We hewed with the brand!
The brand bit sore at Scarpa-reef (Scarborough) , the sword flew from its sheath,
Crimson the borders of our moon-shields when King Raven died;
Loud roared the spear on Ulla’s field, as low lay Eystan the King.

We hewed with the brand!
O’er us was fated Herthiof to win a mighty victory,
There fell my son, bold Rognvald, before the host of spears.
His bow, unerring, shot in Sudorey Hebrides its last fatal bolt.

We hewed with the brand!
In Ireland King Marstan let not the she-wolf nor the eagle starve.
A sacrifice he made at Wetherford (Waterford) , for the steel-thorn issuing from its sheath,
Pierced to the heart of Ragnar, fearless son of mine.

We hewed with the brand!
South we played at war with three kings, the blood of the Irish dyed the sea,
Then stormed we to the sword-play at the river-mouth of Anglesey,
No kissing of a girl was it to fight as we fought there.

We hewed with the brand!
Little did I wot that at the hands of Ella my death should come!
Yet what boots it? None can withstand his fate and well is it
To quaff the mead in skull-boughs drinking horns in the great hall of Odin.

We hewed with the brand!
Before cold death does no brave man quail; no thought of fear have I.
Soon with the battle wake when Aslaug’s sons their bitter blades unsheath,
Soon will they learn the manner of my death, stout hearts of their brave mother!

We hewed with the brand!
My life is well-nigh o’er; sharp is the pang that the serpent gives.
Goinn the Snake, nests deep in my heart. No more will my children rest;
Great wrath will be theirs at the undoing of their sire.

We hewed with the brand!
Full gladly do I go! See the Valkyrjar fresh from Odin’s halls!
High-seated among heroes shall I quaff the yellow-mead.
The Aesir welcome me. Laughing gladly do I die!

Music for wargames - Mongol traditional song, plus The Hu

 Hi!

Time to get your inner Mongol on his/her horse

In Praise of Genghis Khan

The Great Chinggis Khaan by The HU

If you like Metallica, or not, you'll like this. 

Enjoy!

Sell Swords and Spell Slingers. Armour fit for a King

Hi!

A continuation of my campaign using Forbidden Lands (FL) and Sell Swords and Spell Slingers (SS&SS). With a little help from The Game Master's book of Random Encounters (TGMRA).

After the attack, the caravan made all haste and reached their destination half a day earlier than planned. The Gnome, Nimbic Baublemaker, paid each member 70 silver pieces each and a bonus of 5 silver pieces (SP). He hoped they would be available when he next moved on. But that would be some time as he had jewellery to make that would take some weeks.

He bade them well and asked them to check in once in a while if they were able.

The party sought out an inn in which to stay. They found a likely place, The Wide-eyed Willow. As they entered a group of hip youngsters were overheard making fun of their attire. Batilde thumped the handle of her axe on the foot of the nearest as they made their way to a table. The fun making stopped.

Rooms booked and a hearty meal later and the party bed down for the night 

A good sleep, breakfast and the party went their separate ways. Places to go, people to see. 

Batilde went round contractors enquiring of her brother.

Sigilla went who knows where.

Halfdan and Old Tom went around taverns, market places and listened in to private conversations where they could..

All met up each night and discussed the talk overheard.

After a few days they decided that two likely tales had possibilities. 

They chose this one to check out:-

In the age of the Blood Mist there was a Rust Brother who sought an artefact due to an ill advised bet. He travelled to a grave in some plains north east of the town near the chapel of the Bloody Handed God.

It is said he was possessed by a demon and was never heard from again. At that location is a suit of armour fit for a king. There Ratkin infest the area causing sickness and death.

The other tale was a place a long way south east with an indistinct location. They would write it down and follow up on it if they were ever down that way.

The scenario is based on the legends section of FL.

The monster cards used were:-

Ratkin; Skeleton (grave yard), Minor Demon (legend of being possessed), wraith (graves again) Lizardman (body of water close by, and I wanted to use the model!)

It took a few days and on the 10th day of their stay they were ready. Supplies bought, Old Tom a spare bow string, Sigilla a shield. Food and drink cost 5sp each. After their lodgings of 20sp each they had little left. Weapons sharpened. They made their way northeast along a lightly trodden road until they came to a fork in the road. This road looked rarely travelled and led to where the chapel was said to be. As they neared the fork and glimpsed the top of the chapel, they saw a sign by the road. 'Beware of EVERYTHING'!

They moved purposefully along the road. Halfdan took the lead with Old Tom by his side, Sigilla and Batilde following behind. Sigilla felt a change in the mana for magic ebb (-2 to magic).

A horde of Ratkin appear in the distance ahead of them (Halfdan failed an act.). Old Tom takes one down with a long shot. Sigilla stepped on a scorpion killing it, all the while moving forward.

Batilde, who was falling behind, picked up the pace and caught up. 

The horde are coming at speed towards the party and a wraith appeared at the chapel  (Halfdan failed 2 activations), brought, no doubt, by the death and psychic disturbances 

Old Tom kills another Ratkin and 3 more are drawn by the clamour.

Old Tom proves his worth and kills another Ratkin. Their spoils await recovery!

The spoils of war lay unclaimed

A lizardman comes out of the water and Sigilla takes a wound from the unexpected attack. The Wraith moves towards Batilde who engages it and deals damage (1 damage, wraith attack) Halfdan joined the fray to aid Batilde causing one damage and is then ambushed by a Ratkin, Old Tom kills the last of the Ratkin and moves to aid Sigilla, and a minor demon is drawn to the chaos.

Halfdan was thwarted in his attack on the wraith but Batilde finishes it off. Sigilla cuts down the Lizardman, after suffering a further wound (she is down to 1 health). The Demon advances but Batilde moves to intercept, and suffers a wound falling into a hole. 

Halfdan cuts down the Ratkin then makes his way to a likely grave, the most extravagant as it is the most likely place to find a treasure fit for a king, the other being the chapel. But the tale said a grave so it's his best guess.

A skeleton appears at the side of the chapel. 

Old Tom shoots the demon causing one wound with a well placed arrow. Batilde attacks the demon and suffers a second wound (low roll and failed armour save)., 

Halfdan opens the grave and finds..no armour. But he does find a gold crown. Definitely fit for a king!

These two pieces only painted this week. I've had them about 40 years!

Batilde is lain low by the demon but Old Tom finishes it off. Halfdan makes his way to Batilde, it's time to go! Old Tom picks up Sigilla and Halfdan, Batilde. They make their way as fast as they could out of the area, all the while being chased by the Ratkin.

Close up of the chasing rat pack.

This was a bit of a struggle for the party as can be seen with two incapacitated having to be carried off. Luckily the out of action rolls for them came up positive.

The monster activation worked quite well. I wanted the monsters primary start point to be at the table end with the chapel. The exceptions were 'they are behind us' and the lizardman who I wanted to come from the lake. He came if any PC was within 4'' of it and a wandering monster card was drawn.

All the minion activations were Ratkin. I didn't want to call them Skaven, too GW. And some types of creature have kin after their name in FL, Wolfkin being one. The only one I think!

One point I must remember is saving rolls. Sigilla having bought a shield never used it when being attacked or failing in attacking (I forgot) which led to her suffering injury. Or, at least, not having a chance to avoid injury. Whereas with Halfdan and Batilde I know they have these saving rolls.

As can be seen, a lot of 'goods' were left behind due to the need to kill things and move on to the next kill. The 'that might come in useful' items were also left due to the urgency of the situation. Only Old Tom had the inclination to search in dangerous situations. And he did. Very lucky man! Some bodies were searched but not many.

I used the FL GM guide search list for carried precious finds when searching the grave. This gave the best option for finding something valuable, golden armour being one of the listed items.

Now, who do we know who might find a golden crown inset with jewels useful?

That's how the luck of dicing can come into things and enhance the story. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Music for Wargames-Bronze Age Mesopotamia

 Hi!

Thought I'd start a new subject.

I've been coming across music on YT with a historical leaning. I think it is worth sharing so you can play it in the background at shows or for your own pleasure playing games or just listening to.

The Epic of Gilgamesh by Peter Pringle in Sumerian!

He has several songs of similar vein.

Enjoy!

Epic of Gilgamesh

Bundles of wargaming joy.

 Hi!

I had a couple of deliveries last week for things I'd bought on eBay.

First up The Forbidden Lands. The RPG I planned to help bring more interest to a Sell Swords and Spell Slingers campaign.

What do we get in the box?

The Game Mater's Guide

The Player's Handbook

Legends and Adventures

Used for generating characters and adventures

Map

Stickers

All good for a skirmish game campaign. I hope!

Also, I wanted to increase the horde type encounters and looked on eBay for Beastmen. And, yes, some ridiculous prices. But there were some half decent ones, Then I saw these:-

Skaven, from Games Workshop. 30 little vermin to cause havoc in any town, village, city or anywhere there is a hole to crawl out from. The painting has started.

And out of the cupboard under the stairs:-

Two lots of Dungeons and Dragons boxes. A starter set with a paper games mat, a few 2d scenic tiles and 12 figures of various beasts and an expansion of 8 equally monstrous miniatures. Most are a little on the small side but probably useable.

And it included a Wyvern. Seen here with a DnD Minotaur and a figure from Northstar Frostgrave soldiers pack for scale. The notice board is DnD also.

I know, I'm getting a bit carried away with it all. And I'd still like the Beastmen as the look of them is just, fantasy gaming.

I'm ready for my first adventure using both systems.

Legends have been overheard and decisions made. Who? What? Where? Why? and When?

Soon!

Sell Swords & Spell Slingers. Caravan Guard

 Hi!

Whilst I'm waiting for the Forbidden Lands order to arrive, being a wargamer, I couldn't resist playing a game.

I used the Games Maters Book of Random Encounters to flesh out a story.

The four humans stood in front of the gnomish jeweller in the caravan bazaar. He had sent out notice he wanted some guards for his caravan which he was organising to go to a new city to the north. It would be 10 days give or take. You could never be exact as 'things happen' along the way on too regular a basis.

These 4 had, each in turn, approached and offered their services. He had asked them to gather 2 days before departure to go over things. The big Norseman he appointed captain and asked if anyone had any objections. None did. Good.

Halfdan introduced himself to the 3 when they had been dismissed by the gnome. He noted their names and what their specialities were. He was glad of a little magic and an archer. He smiled at the tall muscular blonde with the two-handed axe. Norse blood. Strong. He liked that. He'd heard of monsters which might require the bite an axe could give.

Then, having a free night he took them down to the Two Door Tavern for a night of bonding.

The TWT had a two door policy. You were either right door or left door. His group were right door.

What followed was a raucous night of games, one door against the other. Halfdan was chosen to represent the right door team in ale guzzling contest. He lost to a halfling left door patron. He endured the jeers of his right door team with good humour.

That night they bedded down at the gnomish jeweller's tent to familiarise themselves with how it operated. Thirty six hours later they were on their way.

This is a custom scenario based around that old favourite The Wagon Train. That is, getting from one table edge to another.

The four heroes will move as normal with the caravan activating after two of the PC's. Then the other two..

The caravan movement rate is 1D6 inches (The archers on the caravan base have no attack) The DL of the caravan is 8 and HP2

The event card deck was customised. The following cards were used

Loss of balance

Stood on a scorpion

Horde activates x 2 

Ambush x 2 (Horde of 4 figures each time drawn)

Wandering monster x 2 (monsters straight from the deck)

Monster activates x 6

Further information regarding the statistics used:-

The characters activate by rolling 1-3 die depending on the players preference. Activation occurs if the score rolled on any die is over 8. Less than 8 on any die and an Event card is drawn and acted upon immediately.

DL is the roll you have to pass on a D20 to hit the attacker/defender; cast a spell or some other action. It varies depending on the action.. Only the Player characters roll and if they fail the DL take wounds as indicated by the DMG (damage) level or fail that action. Some factors such as a character wearing armour or using a shield enables a saving roll.

Some None player characters carry jewels, objects or coins (SP- silver pieces)

The order of  activation was as follows:-

Halfdan, Sigilla, Caravan, Batilde and Old Tom.

The caravan trundles forward

The heroes were quite fortunate in the first turns, each rolling 2 die and achieving activation. Even Sigilla.

It was going so well until Batilde failed two activations. It was fortunate that no horde or monsters were on the table at the time.

Ambush!

Then Halfdan failed an activation. Ambush!

Out come the brigands

DL7, HP1,  DMG1, 2D6SP  

He is swift to spear one of the brigands.. Their swords bounce off his armour and shield.

He cuts another down.

Sigilla moves to attack but only reaches the fray. 

The caravan moves forward hoping to go around the fight ahead. 

Batilde moves up to the rear of the caravan.

Then Old Tom fails his activation and is attacked by another horde of brigands!

What a great ambush! As good as it gets attacking both the head and tail of a column/caravan.

Again, the brigands suffer,

Ouch!

Halfdan fails one activation again and is hurt as a brigand slashes his unshielded side. He also fells one of the brigands.

Sigilla stabs twice at a brigand but he is wily and suffers no injury. 

Batilde fails her activation and the hordes (event card activates the hordes) stab at the heroes.

Old Tom suffers an injury.

Halfdan cuts down another brigand.

Sigilla is, again, thwarted.

Batilde moves and attacks the brigands sweeping her two-handed axe and taking one down. She received injury herself in return. (Rolled 3 activation dice and made all 3, moved and failed on dicing for attack on one die))

Old Tom cuts down the last brigands and moves closer to the rear of the caravan. (Again getting 3 activations and making the rolls)

Halfdan and Sigilla despatch the two brigands and the caravan rolls on.

Until Halfdan fails another activation and a Barbarian Assassin leaps out to attack him! It's a perilous road this caravan travels! The attacker dies on a well aimed spear thrust.

Then Old Tom fails his activation and is attacked by a Chaos Barbarian (disguised as a brigand obviously) and luckily cuts him down.

The caravan advances, warily.

Batilde is ambushed by brigands. Her thirsty axe makes short work of them. (Took 2 turns but suffered no injury in return)

And the caravan rolled on to safety. Albeit with some minor injuries.

I couldn't have planned that ambush any better than the cards and die did. And the wandering monsters turned out to be humans and fitted the scenario really well.

The fact 3 hordes were activated was pleasing also.

All-in-all a satisfying game with lots of luck for the heroes in the melees and the fact no 'real' monsters wandered by.

I hope you enjoyed it to.

Sell Swords and Spell Slingers

 Hi!

Back from Atlanta and gaming Sell Swords and Spell Slingers.

I've enjoyed reading reports online of the scenarios and after action reports. So I ordered the rule book from Lulu (lulu) and the cards from Drivethrucards (drivethrucards). The rule book was waiting for me when I arrived home. I waited a few days before downloading the free print-outs from Ganesha Games (ganeshagames) and played a solo adventure 'Through the Badlands'. It didn't go overly well for the adventurers. 

One reason was the activation of monsters. It seems strange that monsters don't activate after all the PC's have activated. So I moved them as you would in almost any other game as they didn't seem to be activating at all.. VERY big mistake! When the monster activations came it was thick and fast and the PC's were swamped! Lesson learned.

So I'm starting a new campaign with the same characters. Except I want a little more depth to it. I blame Geek Gamers on YouTube. The lady is brimming with ideas and 'how to's' and I'm hoping if I can copy a fraction of her inventiveness I'll have a better experience.

Seeing her use Forbidden Lands by Modiphius (forbidden-lands) for solo gaming I've decided to order that. I should have it by next weekend

Luckily the cards have arrived. Well done Drivethrucards! Much appreciated in the 4 week turn round.

I will be using some of the Frostgrave figures for the games as some are good substitutes and they are available. I did buy three figures, Owlbear, Stone Golem and Viking Commander in the Giga Bites Café (giga-bitescafe) in Marietta along with a Pathfinder forest game map. Back in my local-ish gaming store (Wargames Workshop) I found a Lizard and Forest Troll, from Grim Reaper Miniatures, old 1993 figures as they are on the list of monsters I bought them. A lucky find for such old figures, but at todays prices.

Our 4 heroes:-

Halfdan

Halfdan was on a trading ship, a Knarr, when it landed at a strange port far from his homeland. The buildings were of different styles and made of different materials to the wooden ones he was used to. Going ashore he was greeted with some strange human types of people and felt somewhat hesitant. His hand stayed on his sword the whole day. After several days of wandering the port he started to relax and view this strange place as a friendly port which he could come to again without quibble.

In the ale houses and inns which he frequented he overheard talk of treasures and rewards, and the dangers that often accompanied getting them. He started to engage with these travellers. When the Knarr left port a week later, Halfdan was on the dock to wave them off. He would stay and seek a name and fortune for himself.

A Viking type with spear, sword, shield and armour

Burly (+1 strength, only 2 activations), Leader, Strong,

Batilde

Batilde came to the port by Knarr for a different reason. She hoped to find her brother, Ragnar, who had not been heard of for over two years. The last word of his whereabouts was here in the port and he was said to have gone inland.

A shieldmaiden with 2 handed axe and armour,

Strong, Armour, Glory Hound (seeks revealed XP)

Old Tom

Old Tom had lived in this land a long time. He was orphaned as boy by the wars fought against the creatures who roamed, sometimes in big armies, across the land. It was his home. He lived life to the full as the next moment may be your last. 

Archer,

Greedy (must search corpse unless passes a will role vs DL of corpse), Healer (+1 to heal)

Sigilla

Sigilla is a mystery. She never reveals her face. She came from distant lands and never reveals why. Likely, she is a wizard growing into her powers and seeks knowledge and spells to further this.

Wizard

Hesitant (-1 activation), Spell Reader, Spellcaster.

Owlbear

Not quite finished painting

Stone Golem

lizard

Green Forest Troll

Giga-Bites Café

I was so lucky that this was almost across the road from my apartment complex. Literally. 

The address:-:-

1851 Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30062

There are a lot of wargaming supplies in there including FOW, Bolt Action, Saga, Bad Squiddo, Games Workshop and a lot more. There is terrain from several companies. Also, a large board game section with large and small games.

As you can see, in the main shop there are large gaming tables. In the smaller part smaller tables which seem to be mostly for board gamers. 

And food! Try some of that if you go.

Several people came from south Atlanta just to paint figures at the store. That is around 45 minutes to one hour travel by car just to hang out.

Looking forward to starting the game next weekend 

Trolling Frostgrave and The Silver Bayonet

 Hi!

Just a quick post before I disappear to the States for a while.

I needed a troll for Frostgrave and The Silver Bayonet. And I remembered I had one from when my eldest when I tried to interest him in some Dnd. It wasn't a great success. The Troll was much too strong for the half dozen hobbits. 

So I did a quick refurbishment on him. Decent enough for an old Grenadier figure.

Thanks for dropping by.

6mm French Napoleonic for Blücher

 Hi!

An update on the 6mm French army for Blucher.

10 infantry bases

4 foot battery's

2 horse artillery battery's

2 Carabinier bases

2 bases of Lancers

one Cuirassier base

One Dragoon base

3 Hussar bases

2 Chasseur-a-Cheval bases

All units

I am pleased as punch!

As you can see, the infantry are in two formations, which is what I aimed for. Both l'ordre mixte and columns.

I am rather cavalry top heavy. The lancers are only there because they came with some figures I bought on eBay. Being late period, 1812+, they aren't what I wanted as the army is for 1804-07.I painted them...because they were there. I do have more Cuirrassiers to paint as the ones above were also with the eBay purchase. I will do them when I come back from the U.S in June. Or I'll take them with me and paint them over there.

You may not notice it but the line infantry have bicorns and the flags have the pattern with corners and not the tricolour as of later. They are hand painted and came out better than expected.

I can now pit them against a combined Austro-Prussian force or have a smaller battles against each singly.

But I still need more of each!

Thanks' for dropping by.