Rhyflers in the Mist

 

"...and that was Four Angry Pykpyks with 'Grubs! Grubs! Grubs!' Up next we've got the Dung Shovelers with their soulful rendition of 'Quar of Constant Sorrow.'"

Milwer Clwngher took a drink of his tea as he listened to the wireless. They were far enough behind the front that complete sound discipline at night wasn't enforced. With his other hand he stirred the grub porridge cooking on top of the mobile field kitchen. It was mostly oatmeal to be honest, with just enough grubs for flavour, but mill the oats fine enough and no quar could tell. The rhyflers would need something hot and filling on this cold, foggy morning. 

A cold sentry

Thumping drums joined the wail of bagpipes, then guitars picked up and he heard Brgyd Cwynfn's strong, unmistakable vocals:

I-I-I-I am a quar of constant sorrowww!

I seen trouble allll my days...

Maeb pulled more termite buns from the oven hatch. "Oooh I love the Dung Shovelers! They played at the Midsummer Festival in my village once."

Clwngher nodded absently and took another drink of his tea. "Nice."

Morning breakfast prep 

Clwngher sniffed the cold air and noted that the fog was getting lighter.  "We ready? Folk'll be up soon."

Just then they heard a sharp challenge from the southern sentry post. "Halt! Who goes there!"

"Halt! Who goes there!"

A shot rang out. It was answered by the chatter of automatic rifles and the bang of multiple grenades. 

Bombers assault the first house 

Rhyflers moving up on left flank

Positions at start of the attack. Carrier and rhyflers on left not quite in position 

Ryzzo swore and ducked. They had thought that the area was safe and had left their weapons in the house. 

The tree line near the farmyard erupted with flame as machine gun fire tore into the barn. A heavy shotgun added its dull rhythmic thumping. Splinters flew and screams of pain mixed with the explosions. 

LMG squad and Heavy Shotgun move into position 

Clwngher and Maeb saw Rhyflers running down the lane and a frantic melee erupted in the grain field.

Tractor crew tumbles out of bed and engages carrier and rhyfler squad

They ducked behind the kitchen as bullets whizzed past like angry bees. A louder drone added to the din as a Kite swooped low over the trees. Clwngher watched as the pilot dropped a bomb on the barn, then circled around to drop another on the big house.

Kite makes passes over farm, bombing barn and house

The survivors of the squad from the barn ran out to take position behind the wood pile as Crusaders rushed forward, firing from the hip.

Rhyflers from barn put up a brave defense 

The carrier has damaged the tractor, but the Royalist HSG in the big house has it in a crossfire, causing it to withdraw 

LMG squad captures the field kitchen. HSG has moved up to the barn to pour HE shells into fourth house

Is-Caerten and remains of his squad flee as their billet collapses in flame

They were surrounded by green uniforms. A Bogen automatic rifle poked Clwngher in the ribs. He and Maeb and Ryzzo carefully stood up. A young Is-Caerten was reloading his Grifkin, nodding along to the wireless, which was still playing. The Andwyn Sisters were admonishing an absent lover to not sit under the Pykpyk tree with anyone else but me. He snapped the chamber shut and smiled at them as he holstered his weapon.

"I'm terribly sorry to drop in for breakfast uninvited." He lifted a pot lid curiously. "Is there any honey for the porridge?"

And so ended a fast and bloody solo game of Xenos Rampant played on a week night. The Royalists were billeted among the buildings and would have to roll to activate even on free actions when the shooting started. Each Crusader foot unit rolled a d6 for how many free moves they got before Turn 1. Most rolled a '2' the LMG squad rolled '3'. The carrier and the kite stayed off table until Turn 1. Victory conditions were 1 point for each building captured or destroyed and 2 points for the field kitchen. 

The scenario was terribly lopsided, but I wanted to try some ideas (the joy of playing solo). It also made me rethink how I'm portraying the different troops. I like a busy table with lots of cover, which should have an effect. Many games seem to assume more open, stereotypical tables. So maybe starting everyone with the light infantry profile might help.  It also prompted me to download the notes for adapting Chain of Command to Quar and print out This Quar's War. Which will hopefully give me some ideas for better utilizing the cook and the squirrel handler as more than table decorations or objectives.