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

Test of Honour - Legend of the 5 Rings Scorpion Clan Force

Test of Honour by Warlord Games is a skirmish game played with roughly 5 - 20 models on each side (although it is possible and feasible to upscale to larger battles) Players start with a Samurai Hero and can add upto 2 extra Samurai and a number of troops from a large pool of available types. these include Ashigaru Spearmen, Archers and Teppo (musket) soldiers, Mounted warriors, Ronin, Renegades and Masked Men to name a few.

Battles are swift and bloody as players alternate acting with one of their warriors - moving and fighting to achieve the objective of the scenario, whether that may be cutting down the enemy, defending an outpost or finding and protective a spy.

As you play through the scenarios your Samurai will use new skills, and perhaps even take the shameful path of deceit and trickery to gain victory - such choices are the ultimate Test of Honour.
*txt borrowed from Warlord Games Website.


I have been massively interested in Japanese history and Samurai warfare,and was in two minds to make my own foray into Test of Honour along the historical lines. However I also love the Legend of the 5 Rings background and thought this game and its small model count would be ideal for the warring Clans.

So which Clan to do. I debated between Dragon, Crane and Scorpion but what swung my decision was the Ltd Ed Geisha miniature you received via pre-ordering the game deal. This mini would make a perfect Scorpion spy - so Scorpion Clan it was.

Now my hobby time has taken a serious hit lately due to real life constraints and health issues which mean I cant paint as much as I would like and recently I have sent some stuff to the very talented Littleninjapainting, so I sent off my force and below are the results. All painting of miniatures by Littleninjapainting. All scenery, Sashimono/Nobori banner decals and basing by myself.

I am really looking forward to getting this force on the table at the end of the month at the Warring States tournament being held at Warlord Games.

Scorpion Samurai

Mounted Retainer

Nobori, Ashigaru Gunso and Musician

Geisha Spy

Ashigaru Bowmen and Archery Gunso

Masked Men

Ashigaru Yari

Scorpion Clan

Rumbleslam

Welcome to the ring! The spotlights are on, the confetti cannons are loaded, and the mages have had their staffs taken away. The world of RUMBLESLAM awaits!
The original game of fantasy wrestling is here. Join in on fast paced high action gaming as Goblins jump off the turnbuckles, Dark Elves bounce from the ropes, and Dwarfs pick up Werewolves to throw out of the ring!*

*Original txt from the TTcombat website.

Rumbleslam is the fantastic fantasy wrestling game from TT Combat.

Here are my Rumbleslam teams (painted by the amazing Littleninjapainting)

Stomp Nation

Brimstone Chokers

Bad Moon Bruisers

The Ref!

Imperial Skies - Regia Marina vs Royal Navy

I had my first game of Imperial Skies a few nights ago and absolutely loved it. It was really simple getting to grips with the basic rules (we didnt use altitude etc) and the combat resolution mechanics.

My Italians                                             Nic's British

Battleship - re d'Italia                            HMS Benbow with attached Sopwith fighter wing

Battleship - Guilo Cesare                       2 x Wings of Sopwith fighters
Cruiser - Amalfi                                     5 x Steadfast, HMS Steadfast, Sturdy, Solid  
Cruiser - Pisa                                        Staunch, Steady              

Cruiser - Georgios Averof                       HMS Exeter - Cruiser
Blimp Cruiser - Florentina                       HMS Cambridge - Destroyer                 

Frigate - Palestro                                    2 x Arethusa, HMS Arathusa, Aphrodite

Frigate - Confienza

Frigate - San Martino

Frigate - Solferino 

2 x Wings of Seaplane fighters

Turn 1.
Playing a straight fleet action we deployed our forces opposite each other. The Royal Navy gained first initiative and sent its fleet forward and its Sopwith squadrons to antagonise the Seaplanes of the Regia Marina. The Italians responded by moving their fleet to engage and the Blimp Florentina floated up the middle and lay a broadside against HMS Solid. The resulting cannonade downed the light RN vessel.

On the left the Battleship Guilo Cesare also opened up with a huge salvo which blew HMS Aphrodite out of the sky. First blood to the Regia Marina and the Royal Navy's Fleet commander muttered something about their being something wrong with his bloody ships!!

Turn 2.
Gaining the upper hand the Italian Admiral issued his orders and the fleet advanced into better range. re d'Italia downed HMS Arathusa on the left whilst San Martino with some pinpoint gunnery took HMS Sturdy down. With the ranges reduced it was now time for the Royal navy's famous gunnery skills to reply and they did just that, quickly destroying Confienza whilst HMS Benbows Sopwith CAP dived upon Pisa severely damaging her.

All the time the fleets were engaged the opposed a huge dogfight was taking place on the flanks of the battle.

Turn 3.
Now it was time for the British to take control of the skies. HMS Benbow let rip and a fusillade of massive proportions lit up the sky, disintegrating the unfortunate frigate Solferino. In return Guilo Cesare mauls HMS Benbow with some raking fire. HMS Exeter surges across the sky into the path of Georgios Averof and destroys her. The Battleship re d'Italia exacts some revenge and nearly destroys HMS Exeter, leaving the British Cruiser crippled.

Turn 4.
With the battle swinging each way, the Italian Navy makes a push forward to capitalise. The Blimp Florentina finishes off the Exeter but HMS Steadfast screams past and with a deft broadside, downs the Blimp in return.

San Martino then moves alongside HMS Steadfast and sends her crashing into the ground. The swirling dogfight continues with planes dropping out the sky on both sides but slowly the Italian pilots gain the upper hand over the RFC.

In the failing light both fleets look at disengaging but the parting shots are particularly devastating resulting in Pisa being downed on the Italian side and HMS Staunch, Steady and Cambridge, destroyed on the British.

The Royal Navy stoked their boilers and headed away leaving the skies in Italian hands.

Brigade Models Imperial Skies Italian Fleet

                 

Imperial Skies is a table top wargame of lighter-than-air ship battles, played out over the land and sea of the early 20th Century.

Fleets of flying ships are pitted against each other in fast-paced aerial tactical combat. Gather powerful fleets of your favourite nation including Battleships, Dreadnoughts, Cruisers, Destroyers, Aircraft, Bombers and Patrol Boats. (From Brigade Models website)

This is the start of my Italian Forces for Imperial Skies. It consists of 2 x Re d'Italia Class Battleships, 1 x Giulo Cesare Class Light Battleship, 2 x Pisa Class Cruisers and 3 x Rosatelli BR-88 Seaplane Bombers.

Next additions will be flights of Seaplane Fighters, 4 x Frigates and a large Dirigible. I have my first game against a friends British fleet beginning of August so look out for the upcoming battle report.