Oh, this is but one of the multitude of minor squabbles occurring during the Sengoku period of Japanese history - the time of the classic Samurai we all know and game.
Having no idea who will show at host’s Francis’ place, the scenario has to be, well, ‘loose’ to allow for various number of players. I deployed a triad of forces, with small one in the village to protect the sacred ‘Zen White Stone’ , the other equally matched forces on each side.
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| The village defended by the Oyamada. The Zen white rock with stool in the center. Peasants to the left, Samurai at lower right. |
Being a Lion Rampant game, it is hard to describe the action but the Okurdaira and the Takeda aimed for each other while controlling the Oyamada protecting the village I sought to stay out of the fight only entering once one side was weakened thus being on the winning end ( much like Stanley at Bosworth Field )
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| The mass of Takeda early in the game. I ignore the 3" rule....obviously. |
But like any plan, it went for nought, as while Rene left my Samurai alone as he moved against DaveS’ and Kev’s red and white flagged Okurdaira, his compatriot Francis promptly charged my Oyamada samurai and lost the combat. “They are samurai?!” Francis exclaimed in his defence, “I thought they were peasants. Aren’t peasants easy to kill?”
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| The Takeda mounted Samurai (Kingsford Miniatures) |
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| Okudaira army advances ( the red/white sashimono was a common theme for several clans it would appear) |
However with that, I decided to help the Okurdaira but as I came out of the village DaveS and his Okurdaira teppo (handgunners) then shot at me “They were the nearest and best target!” he would say. You do get the idea that these players do not care a wit about strategy and just want “to throw dice and kill things”
I retreated but to the village to let them sort it out, which, after quite the bloodbath, the Takeda with their black flags, won the attrition battle.