The first photo shows the overall table layout and figure placement after Turn 1. A herd of eight Aurochs (Giant Grazers) including two calves, is grazing placidly in the mouth of the valley, getting ready for their migration south. The hunting party of the Grey Wolf Clan is six strong, all spear armed except for Smoky who is carrying fire (a burning branch).
The hunters started at various points along the L table edge. Three of them are already in position to tumble the boulders down onto the herd as it passes the valley choke point. Two more are in the defile between the scarps, ready to attack at a suitable opportunity. And Smoky is working around the back of the herd to drive them into the valley using the threat of fire.
Moving the fire-carrying hunter Smoky was an important factor in the hunt. By making him veer to one side or another it was possible to "steer" the beasts down the valley and prevent them from breaking loose and heading over the low hill forming the R side of the choke point.
In Turn 3 the killing began. The photo above shows the carnage. Another stampede prompted by Smoky brought one group of beasts within the zone of a boulder, which was rolled off the scarp and squashed two Aurochs including a calf. The other two members of the group escaped, one joining the other group and one becoming separated from the other survivors and headed for the table edge in the background.
The other group of beasts also stampeded and the other two boulders were duly released, rolling towards them. All three boulders rolled only S distance, so this further-away group has not been hit - yet!
In Turn 5 the hunters took some chances - no photo of this one though. Smoky rolled three activations, the only time in the game I rolled all three dice for a hunter, and raced wide around the herd to try and head them off. Other hunters were able to kill the other calf, which had become separated from the adults, but no other attacks succeeded.
And in Turn 6 it was all over. The last surviving Aurochs is heading off to fresh woods and pastures new following the others, who have stampeded over the table edge to safety. One of the escapees was carrying two wounds, inflicted at the last minute, so the hunters may decide to track it for a couple of days and in all likelihood take possession. But it'd be a major hassle to have to operate and defend two butchery sites ...
The Grey Wolf hunters have killed one adult and two calves from the Aurochs herd, for a total of 8 Bulk out of a possible 28 Bulk on offer. Not enough. The scenario victory conditions specify at least 2 Bulk per starting hunter so 12 Bulk was required. It seems the "Hunger Games" scenario might have to be next. The clan has all the long winter to decide how best to appease the god who stopped the boulders from delivering a sure thing.
Any idea when these rules will be available ? , Tony
ReplyDeleteLook for them when the Sun-Father grows weary, the herds are plump and content, and the hazelnuts ripen on the branch.
DeleteThere is a herd of Aurochs -or at least the back bred attempt at recreating them, Heck Cattle -in the Neanderthal valley, near Dusseldorf... also Tarpans and European bison (wisent)
ReplyDeleteNip along and see if they'll let you LARP with them!
http://www.wildgehege-neandertal.de/aurochs.htm
Griff