Test of Honour Campaign Day at Warlord Games - Part 1

Warlord Games hosted the first Test of Honour Campaign Day run by Keiran Byrne. A top bloke who put on a cracking event.

Labelled as Warring States - The Road to Uedahara, the event included 4 rounds and each round allowed the force you used to increase in points. First round started with 15 points and finally led to round 4 using all 24 points of your force.

My force consisted of my Legends of the 5 Rings Scorpion Clan and I took:

Samurai Hero - Bayushi Shojo - 5 points

Samurai - Bayushi Hikoku - 4 points

Loyal Spearmen group - 2 points

Loyal Spearmen group - 2 points

Experienced Bowmen - 3 points

Experience Bowmen - 3 points

Masked Men - 2 points

Renegade - 1 point

Mounted Retainer - 2 points

Because I was using miniatures depicting the Scorpion Clan I asked each opponent if they were ok if I depicted their forces as other Clans from the same background. Everyone was more than happy so here are the battle reports

Battle 1 - Defend our Lord vs Oliver (Mantis Clan) 15 points.

Bayushi Shoju whilst on route back to the Scorpion lands, after being called forth to the Imperial court has been ambushed by scurrilous Mantis Clan pirates. Usually the Mantis Clan raid the sea's and coast around Rokugan, but spies in the Imperial Court sent word that the Scorpion Lord travelled with a small retinue and would be an easy conquest.

Yoritomo Omura readied his Yojimbo and pirate troops in the dense bamboo groves on the Plains of Thunder next to the Large Temple of Osano-Wo. Tipped off by spies in the Imperial Court he had made a fast pace to be in position to ambush the Scorpion.

However, the pace of the Mantis was not quick enough as the Scorpion had seen their advance and readied their defence around the Temple. Bayushi Shoju ordered his Yari guardsmen and Masked Men to stand firm whilst his Yumi (Bows) Ashigaru, let loose their arrows from the bamboo groves.

Yoritomo attacked straight away, sending his Yojimo along with his whole force through the centre of the plains, whilst he skirted around the Temple hoping to surprise Shoju. Shoju being the sly old Scorpion kept back from the fight - The Scorpion only stings when the opponent least expects.

The Mantis Yojimo got ahead of his troops protecting his side and flew at the Scorpion Yari Ashigaru. His first attack was wild and he fumbled his swing resulting in him being knocked to the ground. He was quickly dispatched by the Scorpion troops.

With the death of the Mantis Yojimo, the Scorpion Masked Men advanced and attacked the Pirate archers but were unable to land and significant blows. Yoritomo tries to stealthily move from the Temple to the Cherry Tree orchard but was spotted by a group of Scorpion Ashigaru who managed to blood the Mantis Samurai. Scorpion archers let fly at Yoritomo now as he strayed into range and they manage to injure him.

With Yoritomo limping and bleeding Bayushi bursts from the bamboo grove and in a splendid martial display, whirls his Naginata into the Mantis Samurai. The duel in the Cherry Tree orchard is swift and decisive with Bayushi sending Yoitomo into the afterlife. Nothing survives a sting from a Scorpion.

Mantis Yari troops charge into the Masked Men unaware that their Lord has fallen and manage to cause a fatality.

With the light failing and the Scorpion forces advantage the remaining fatigued Mantis troops retreat from the field. Bayushi Shoju has succesfully defended himself and Scorpions honour.


Scorpion Win. Enemy Samurai Hero defeated, My Samurai Hero survived.


Battle 2 - Sudden Attack vs Chris (Phoenix Clan) 18 points.

Numerous villages have seen the increase of troop encampments as opposing Clan Forces prepare themselves for the coming days ahead. Daimyos know that any advantage that can be gained will have a great effect on the outcome of hostilities. Bayushi Shojo has marched with a raiding force to cause as much disruption of the encroaching Phoenix Clan. In a small village nestled in the forested mountains bordering on a Phoenix province, Bayushi launches his attack with the aim of taking and controlling the village for the Scorpion.



Bayushi Shoju along with Bayushi Hikoku has learnt that Shiba Daizan and Shiba Toshiki of the Phoenix are resting up in a mountain village and are without any Shugenja.

Feeling the time is right for the Scorpion to sting Bayushi slowly arranges his forces on the outskirts of the village. The Phoenix are not as dull witted as first thought and Shiba Toshiki is quick to react, defending the centre of the village. Scorpion Masked Men rush Toshiki and he quickly jabs back but both antagonists avoid the blows.

Shiba Daizan rushes into the centre to Toshiki's aid but Bayushi Shoju charges at him. Daizan swings at Shoju but fumbles in the face of the Scorpions terrifying visage and falls to the ground. Shoju jumps at the advantage that suddenly presents itself but his deadly swing of his Naginata glances off the Phoenix's armour.

During the brief exchange of blows Bayushi Hikoku cuts down Toshiki leaving the unarmed Samurai bloodied at his feet.

Shoju stabs down at Daizan on the ground, seriously hurting him and the Masked Men advance against the approaching Phoenix spearmen groups, managing to kill some. During these deadly exchanges the Ashigaru forces on both sides are menacing each other with casualties falling more heavily on the Phoenix Clan troops.

Hikoku and Shoju swop sides of the combat. Hikoku cuts down the injured and bleeding Daizan whilst Shoju twirls a dance of death through the ranks of Phoenix Ashigaru.

With both Phoenix Samurai cut down and the common troops decimated the surviving members of the Phoenix force retreat leaving all the objectives of the raid in Scorpion hands.

Scorpion Win. Enemy Samurai Hero defeated. My Samurai Hero survived.

Continued in Part Two