All,
Had a great first game of SODT this afternoon with my old gaming partner. He modified a scenario from Song of Drums and Shakos, and set it in the AWI.
The scenario - A stone bridge over the Piddlee River has been deemed of great strategic importance by the Crown, despite being in a backwater location. Word has come to the British command in the area that a colonial militia officer has rallied a group of settlers based at a nearby farm to defend the bridge. Not wishing to commit regular troops to this enterprise, a small force of Loyalist Rangers and Indians has been sent against the position.
The game - The Loyalists began the game with the initiative, and went forward in loose order using the "Scout" command, while two Indians and a white Renegade moved seperately on the left flank. As soon as the Rangers appeared at the edge of a large wooded area, the colonials began to open fire, doing little damage. The Rangers armed with rifles and marksmen, opened up and immediately bought down a colonial guarding the bridge. As the two sides continued to trade shots, the Indians moved forward. The Indians and the Renegade had been given the "Running blow" trait, which resulted in an amusing bit. While one warrior fired forcing a colonial to cover, the other declared a running blow, rushing forward with a blood curdling yell, he proceeded to swing widely at the air, and fell flat on his face. Chingagcook he was not!
The fight continued, and as the colonials guarding the bridge were driven back or put out of action, the Rangers tightened their noose around the farm. Casualties were mounting for the colonials, while the Rangers suffered only a couple figures temporarily downed. Eventually, the active colonials all moved into the farm cabin, intending to make a brave stand. A morale check at 50% caused several colonials to run from the safety of the cabin. They were ultimately picked off by the Rangers. The leader of the Rangers and another fighter stayed in the cover of the woods across the river, managing to put at least two colonials out of the fight, hitting them through the narrow cabin windows. Crack shots indeed.
The colonials continued to move back into the cabin, only to be driven into the open by failed morale checks. Finally, with seven dead out of a force of eleven, the Militia Officer raised the white flag and surrendered both bridge and cabin. The Rangers lost not a single man. The game lasted about 90 minutes, including time taken to clarify the odd rules point. Great fun was had, even by the loser. For those interested in small action in 18th and early 19th century, "A Song of Drums and Tomahawks" is highly recommended.
Nick