Jolly Boys day out

Hello people,

Tuesday night down at Enfield Gamers we continued the Jugula campaign with a day event at arranged by some backwater Magistrates to appease and distract the locals from the Roman yoke.

House Trottarius travelled up from Peckham having impressed in recent events with a number of wins and a few honourable defeats. A couple of casualties early doors have been balanced by the advancement of the the whole Ludus. Dominus Delanus has been well pleased....luvly jubbly!

Introducing for you entertainment, (L-R);

Rodanius - Murmillo - A simple lad, bit of a plonker at times but favoured by Delanus. The tank of the outfit, recently worked out what the pointy end of his sword is for - Palus; +1 Attack
Boycanius - Secutor - Razor sharp but mouthy. Looks for the opportunistic, flashy kill. Quick feet around the arena - Palus;  +1 Movement
Damianus - Thraex - A young lad, very intense, shunned by Rodanius. Enjoys his trade almost a little too much, likes to play with his opponents - Palus; +1 Defense
Marlenius - Dimacharius - An instinctive fighter, emotional in the arena. Brooding, blows hot and cold around the Ludus. Very, very close with Boycanius - Palus +1 Attack
Trigarius - Hoplomachus - Dumb but dependable. Same "lucky" spear his entire career. Eight new shafts, nine new heads but still the same spear. - Palus +1 Attack
Albertus - Retarius - An ex-sailor of some experience with a net. Sailed many seas and has a story to tell for every one of them. The elder statesman of the Ludus - Palus +1 Attack

This week the trip north didn't sit too well with the lads. Somehow they never seemed to get into the groove of things. Despite taking the initiative an working around the arena pretty well they somehow lacked the....execution, and failed to make their advantage count. After that they rocked onto the back foot and slowly slid to defeat.

Thankfully no one died, always a bonus, but with the Ludus' newly found Popularity and Fame has massively increased costs and the trip only barely turned a minimal profit. Such is life, two weeks to recover before the next event...."This time next year Rodanius..... :)

Are you not Entertained?

Hello people,

The recent Gladiatorial theme around Enfield Gamers has continued as Rich has recently picked up a copy of the Spartacus boardgame which sports the tag-line A Game of Blood and Treachery...which is highly accurate.

The blurb is also rather accurate;
In Spartacus: A Game of Blood & Treachery, an exciting game of twisted schemes and bloody combats inspired by the hit STARZ Original series, each player takes on the role of Dominus, head of a rising house in the ancient Roman city of Capua. Each house is competing for Influence to gain the favor of Rome. Through a combination of political schemes and glorious battles on the arena sands your house will rise in fame and stature. As Dominus, you have a variety of resources at your disposal. Guards protect you from schemes launched by rivals. Slaves run your household and earn gold. Gladiators compete to bring glory to themselves and influence to their Dominus.

Three main phases occur in each game round of Spartacus: A Game of Blood & Treachery.
The Intrigue Phase is when players launch their Schemes, hoping to raise their fortunes while undermining their rivals. Schemes and Reactions are represented by cards in the Intrigue Deck. Players wield their Influence to put their Schemes into play, often asking for (or bribing) another player’s help in hatching the most complex plots.

The Market Phase is when players buy, sell and trade Assets (Gladiators, Slaves, Equipment and Guards). Players also bid against each other to acquire new Assets at Auction. Wealth is not the only path to success as players bluff and bargain with each other to acquire the Assets they covet.
The Arena Phase is when the bloody games are held. Gladiators from two rival Houses are pitted against each other in a brutal fight for glory. The spectacles of the games are represented by miniature combat on the arena board. Fighters pit their Attack, Defense and Speed dice against one another to determine the victor. All players seek to increase their fortunes by betting on the outcome of the gruesome conflict. Fighters who emerge from the arena victorious gain Favor and their Dominus gain Influence.

The goal of the game is to become the most influential house in Capua, securing your family’s power for years to come. During the game, players will bribe, poison, betray, steal, blackmail, and undermine each other. Gold will change hands again and again to buy support, stay someone’s hand or influence their decisions. Will you be the honorable player whose word is their bond or the treacherous schemer whose alliances change with the wind?

 

Tuesday night we also cracked out The Serpents and The Wolf, the expansion allowing six of us to backstab, plot and occasionally do battle in the arena. Myself, Rich and Mr C had got a couple of games in a couple of Fridays back so had a bit of an idea what we were doing but it's not a difficult game to pick up.

The game itself is yet another high quality offering with good elements of resource management (gold does tend to talk though) and plenty of interaction between players. The combat system once onto the sands is quick, simple yet has enough to producing an engaging combat. Each house has its own special rules and abilities, flavoured to the series, and there are genuinely multiple ways to win the game, it's not an auto to build a stable of stone cold killers.

With the expansion the idea is for upto four Houses putting forward a combatant into the arena to fight in teams of two. We gave that bit a miss with three new players but it soon proved that it was otherwise too easy to sideline the more combat ready Houses. I'd made the early running, BIG mistake, only to be hauled back down toward the gutter. By mid-game a definite alliance had appeared between MrC and Rich. The rest of us weren't having that so when Ian had a chance for glory we backed him all the way!

Give it a go if you get the chance, well worth it for the quote opportunites alone :)

Omnipotent Fowl

Last night at Enfield Gamers we kicked off the Britannia Jugula campaign with six newly formed Ludi and their equally green Lanistas (Lanisti?). There was much hamming it up and Spartacus quotes a plenty, especially where Jupiter's prize male chicken was concerned. In fact there was as much effort put into making grammatically poor threats as there was playing the game.

I am running Ludus Peckhamus of House Trottari hailing from the marshland to the south of Londinium....which partially explained the smell.

First up I faced Rich and his well hated Sagittarius. In honesty I started playing the deck building side of the game fairly well, building Vox Populi and marshaling my resources. It didn't help when I pretty much let myself get outmanoeuvred on the sands which was quickly stained red by my Secutor, a dead kind of red in fact!

To be honest I was having trouble "seeing" potential manoeuvres on the gridded board and it was costing me dear. That was until the penny finally dropped, clanged even, at which point I pinned two of Rich's lads up against a wall and smashed the both into it repeatedly to take a shock 4-2 win.

Push backs are an important part of combat. If you don't have the space to move back into you take an extra wound. Suddenly I only had to beat Rich's "roll" rather than double it!

Second game was against Shaun who tends to play the long game so I got stuck into him early. Problem was I failed to make it stick, manoeuvre again, and we ended up in a mass scrum in the middle of the arena. Eventually Shaun ground out a 4-1 win.

Third and final game of the night was against Paul who came at me from the off but fairly piecemeal. His dashed out and netted my new Sector which would have proved far more effective if he'd had someone to take advantage of it with.

I was effectively forced to fight around my netted man with fairly minimal resources but still with a touch more than Paul who hadn't built up at all in order to press on me. My advantage and defensive posture told as I forced Paul to engage on my terms and took a convincing 4-1 win.

Applying the campaign rules I had somehow done rather. The two dead Plebi were easily replaced from the slave pens while Rodanius my Murmillo tank and Triggorus my Hoplomachus (a spear is just a broom handle with a point) had both gained enough XP to ping up a level to each going another point of Attack bonus. This in turn garnered Ludus Peckhamus an amount of fame and reputation.

Not quite sure what that means just yet other than a target on the back and higher running costs I'm sure :)

For a "simple" game there are lots of little details to remember to apply. The quick play sheet had a section "10 things that you will forget". That does however mean that there's plenty of depth both tactically and strategically. Even as a fairly seasoned hack (cough) it took a bit to keep up though this was mainly because I was to busy having frenetic fun.

Frenetic is definitely the correct phrase, there's a lot going on on both sides of the arena and plenty to keep track of and second guess. It provides a good "buzz" to the game. 

We played through three rounds in about 2 1/2 hours as newbies with just decks and quick play sheets more than happily :) For the campaign it'll be every other week to keep things fresh and avoid overload. 

By Jupiter's omnipotent male hen, thou knowest where we reside!!

Cut-Throat?

Hello people,

This Tuesday down at Enfield Gamers was a major training session for the local Ludi as we got stuck into Studio Tomahawks' most recent offering, Jugula!

We as a club have previous experience with gladiatorial management with Two Hour Wargames Red Sand Blue Sky so just it was a case of uncasing figures, brewing the tea and setting up. A few of the boys played the week before but this time six of us dealt ourselves out a trial Ludus and got stuck in.

The game is card activated but far more than that as they also provide the far deeper resource management element of the game that gives you a number of tactics and strategies to run with. Each Gladiator type has it's basic stats, light or heavy, move and base attack and defence values but it's the activation cards that do the business and make the game what it is i.e fun, challenging, brutal and rewarding!


 Running through the above top to bottom;
- the sandal is how many Gladiators you can activate to move
- the bloke lets you whip up the crowd which in turn gives you attack bonuses and expands you hand size (from 5)
- the helmet is how many Gladiators you can activate to attack
- the fan of cards is how many cards you can draw
On top of that there's the cars text, often situational, the star at the bottom right which can by you cards from the uber deck. The cards are also used as dice, you can play one from your hand or draw blind from the top of your deck.

In short there's an awful lot going on outside of the action on the sand. Once you get your focus on the actual hack and slash manoeuvre becomes critical as you rarely get to move and attack. It's very much a mutual support thing whilst trying to make a hole and then pick off the isolated man.

As far as the evenings games were concerned there were three of them, even as a novice, so four in a night must be possible once you crack on. In short I got taken to school......gladiator school but learnt a fair bit and by the end of the night was even beginning to hold my own a touch. Initially I underestimated the depth and variation of the card deck, I also got out manoeuvred on the sand.

Any budding Lanistas should take a look, well worth a punt!

The Odes of Frank "War" Arnus Prt IV

Finally back to the action after a couple of weeks of delays the boys pulled a home match against Ludus Meridianus Londinium Peregrinus run by self renowned Gallic Lanista, Arsanus Vengerus.

With two of these new Retarii at the Ludus I thought it was about time they started returning my coin and sent them out for the first two bouts with instructions to use the net early. Both did as I told them, just as well, going hard from the off (chucking in plenty of bonus dice) but neither managing to snare their man (to the cost of plenty of bonus dice !)

Estaban was at least in an equal fight and after opening a number of wounds his opponent eventually raised two fingers to the gods and the first bout was mine!

Alfric, my latest addition and strong yet unskilled, however was obviously outclassed and was soon blowing hard whilst the Murmilo closed in on him. The gods smiled on him enough for him to dodge a lusty blow and inflict a steadily bleeding wound.

Roaring defiance his superior opponent refused to yield fighting on only for him to over-reach again and sprawl upon the sands. Alfric took his chance and speared him hard in the belly. This time no raised fingers were possible or needed!

With the day won I sent in Mehmet the undefeated Hoplomachus whilst Vengerus had difficulty even fielding a match. One swift spear strike to the leg saw him felled and Mehmet's status enhanced.

Another victory for Ludus Arnus! All i have to do now is keep my men as my men...... or move a little closer to Rome...

Open the wine!!

Second String

Tomorrow i'm off to Gloucester to watch England Saxons to take on Tonga.

Some years ago we found Crash Tackle, a Rugby Board game, and re-played the 2007 World Cup. I got Tonga and became slightly obsessed getting an official shirt from flea-bay plus afro wig for the day and haven't looked back.

They have thier own version of the Haka, the Sipi Tau, and I can't wait. Doubt they'll win but that's not the point!

Meanwhile I've painted my remaining Gladiators and gone for a simple raw linen scheme a la Selonius' Ludus.

Very pleased. Easily as good as the first lot and really like the simplicity of them. 14 quality PPs!!

The Odes of Frank "War" Arnus Prt III

Jupiter's balls!

I takes two days for the whole Ludus to travel to some dung-heap town up North, Bradford I think it was called, only to find out that none of our challengers had made it and the event had been postponed.

Something about and outbreak of pox and someone's carts being stolen. Turns out the messenger sent to us had got lost and arrived the day after we left. If I get hold of him then the boys can use him for practice!

Having turned up we at least put on a parade for the plebs and some exhibition stuff. A bit tame but the crowd weren't exactly the cultured type and were getting it all for free. I even got the drivers to don the spare sets of armour and just stride about geeing up the crowd. Worked well enough and got the local magistrate to at least cover the overnight costs.

I also wasn't going to waste all the Dinari invested in the lad's new kit and togs. That blue woad doesn't come cheap but knowing the docks as I do a suitable supply was found at a very competitive price. Almost robbery in fact, hur hur hur...

Seven more gladiators painted adding a further 14 PPs for the month. Vaguely ropey photos bar one which is strange as I took them all at the same time as near to the lounge windows for natural light. Must have been a cloud, will try again at the weekend.

Hopefully the postponement will exorcise the fresh paint daemons!

UPDATE: Much better photos as I actually paid proper attention to light sources etc. Lazyness vs effort!

The Odes of Frank "War" Arnus - Prt II

The value of a home crowd? Priceless!

That notorius self publicist Rogurius Caninus Secundus had invited all of the new Britannia Ludi to join his Britannia Premirius Leagusta and i'm not one to be left out!

Taking on each other home and away the top two Ludi will fight it out in the Super Pit, the winner being able to travel to Gaul to pit his gladiators against the best Rome has to offer during the official 'Round the Fringe' tour.

So taking on Charlius's Ludus, known for thier technical focus and careful fight strategies, at home seemed like a good draw. We also manged to attract the attention of some scribes from Rome, from the newly formed, SKYUS SPORTICUS organisation which meant an extra fee which a home Ludus was mine to split as I saw fit.

With all the extra attention both sets of boys were well keyed up and wasted no time getting stuck in. The bloodlust of the home crowd rose as Estaban, Retarius, claimed the victory in his first ever first bout.

Mehmet, Hoplomachus, walked out second. Both lads put everything into it but couldn't find a way through. Tiring badly the officials called the draw before the crowd turned any uglier. Mehmet's still undefeated from three but not Ludus champion just yet!

For the final bout I sent in Carlo, my new Thraex, with instructions to go in fast and hard. The boy done good rounding out the contest at two-nil. Get in!

With the scribes of Rome watching on and ahead of schedule Charlius and I quickly set up a beast fight as an added extra. Letting one of less vicious wolves into the arena we would each send in one fighter. I gave the honour to Andreaus, Secutor, as he was one of the new boys and though skilled with a blade somewhat weak.

Charlius' retarius made the early running but losing his net backed off. Andreaus took his chance using his skill, or luck, to taunt the wolf twice sidestepping it's wild lunges and using its momentum to run itself onto his blade.

So further glory to the Arnus Ludus and Andreaus suddenly has a name worth something. Always liked that boy!

Blood and Sand

Just a quick post to show off my first three painted gladiators for Ludus Arnus.

The red and blue colours are traditionally East London and for Ludus Arnus I like to think them representative of the dock areas from whence the Arnus supporters hail and the blood they often spill within and without there community.

All Crusader figures of which I have recently recieved another 16 which gives me enough to run two schools should I so wish.

Ludus Motto:
"Vadis equus domum ducta ambulance"
"You're going home in a horse drawn ambulance"

The Odes of Frankus "War" Arnus - Prt I

"So the first of the year' events at Verulanium took place the other day and the weather stayed fair to bring out a healthy crowds of plebians.

Arriving early I flashed the cash at the slave market picking up another three prospects. Well, you've got to speculate to accumulate according to my old dad and the mines will always take thise that fail to make it into the brotherhood.

>We were pitched up against the Glevum Bay school and things started badly with Caleb loosing the first fight just not being aggressive enough. At least he's still alive! For the moment anyway.

Mehmet took his second win, eventually, after an epic duel. That lad's showing promise, undefeated so far. Who would have though it of a Galatian!

I sent Rickanus in for the last bout, champion against champion. It was close but he took a bad cut to his shield arm. Came off complaining about an illegal hold. Boy needs to toughen up!

The two crowd favourites then went through to the Primus match. Mehmet got crowd approval but a dislocated shoulder saw him have to give up his place. Glevum's champion took the laurels. Hmmm, best watch them, dirty fighters!

With just the beast fight left Rickanus wouldn't be held back from entering against both a black bear and a lion! Thankfully the bear tore into the lion and after getting in a few strikes Rickanus went a bit blood-lust and speared that bear in the back of the head!

All of a sudden he's the crowd's favourite, more glory than the Primus fighters and didn't he just milk it! A scout from Rome was in the crowd and made an offer I really couldn't refuse. Gold in the purse or steel in the belly!

Glory for the school though and all three of the new boys made it through training. Best actually learn thier names! Hah!"

I'm Spartacus!

So far this year I've been a very good geek, studiously working through my dual project list and doing very well at resisting a host of shiny new releases..... TOO good.

"Red Sand, Blue Sky", 2 hour Wargames' gladiator rules, have recently arrived at the club to a fanfare of trumpets and the roar of a baying mob thinly disguised as a crowd.

Tuesday night saw the first round of Rich's excellently organised campaign with a particuarly enjoyable blind bid auction to purchase five fighters a piece to join our "designed" Ludus champions. Previously randomly generated there was a wide range of size, style and ability on offer. Bidding was fierce!!

Personally I'm sat as Frankus "War" Arnus (Frank Warren) of Ludus Arnus, ably lead by my personal champion Rickus Hattonius, a fast hard hiting Thraex hailing from the Britannic midlands. Tuesday saw his first win for the school, coming back hard to take down a huge Gaul after almost going down in the opening seconds.

Newly bought in are the following meat-bags:

Andreas the Germanic Secutor. What he lacks in speed and strength he makes up with in sword skill. A one-strike wonder who needs to be.

Caleb the Judean Secutor. Reliant on strength rather than skill, his brawler signature sees him as the bludgeon to to Andreas' blade.

Estaban the Hispanic Retarius is the balanced all rounder of the school. Using his net early will let him use his speed to his advantage.

Mehmet the Galatian Hoplomachus was a little on the slow side but came through the school's first bout to victory. After taking a number of cuts he killed his opponent with a single spear thrust through the chest, the adualtion of the crowd gifting his first advance and the confidence to move with a liitle more speed.

Tarbus the Dacian Secutor was a skilled fighter but his weaker frame betrayed him as his first bout saw him catch a fatal sword to the chest! An inglorious death, he will be quickly forgotten.

So that's a dozen figures on there way from Crusader to provide what will be a welcome diversion. More than I need for the moment but I wouldn't want to go short!

Meanwhile, Frankus is off down to the local slave market to "recruit" Tarbus's replacement. Should you wish to follow the campaign's exploits feel free to follow the blog here.