A bit more refined action this time for our group (thanks to our Tuesday Night Gamers being guinea pigs for it’s first run). The Thursday group came together at Miniature Market Cave Springs to try out their hand at the mixing of rule sets combining “And One for All…” with a bit of “Limeys & Slimeys” as our intrepid swashbuckling heroes headed down the Loire River for part four of three our continuing Capture of Constance multi part scenario.
Above we see Greg D’s Musketeer manned patrol boat on the way to help Aramis.
The original campaign premise from Eureka Games was as we know Constance the confidant of the Queen has been accused by Cardinal Richelieu of being a spy acting as a messenger between the Queen Anne and The Duke of Buckingham. The Cardinal in one of his intrigues to embarrass the Queen had already convicted her but she was still necessary for a show trial in Paris. Constance has been between the custody of the Cardinal’s Guard and her rescuers the Kings Musketeers over the course of the games. Our last adventure found her held by the Red Guard in the convent of the Good Sisters only to make her escape with the help of Aramis and a fellow Musketeer.
Aramis (DJ) having navigated passed some river snags is set upon by a boat loaded with The Red Guard (Bev)
It is there that this adventure begins as the Cardinal’s agents have located her at the riverside cabin of Pierre the fisherman and family. With the Red Guard (Bev and Steve L. then Kevin F) moving in Aramis and Pierre (DJ) loaded Constance into a boat and head downstream in hopes of eluding them and meeting up with the remaining Musketeers ( Greg D). In the mix for this game were two River Pirates (Jay C and Steve T) who were wild cards for the other players to keep in mind.
River Pirates (Steve T) head out to gather what they can in the way of treasure or adventure on their sail equipped raft that mounts a swivel gun.
A second outing for the brown water game mat (courtesy of the artwork of Dave Schaffner). The players found that a straight course was not possible as the river was filled with obstacles beyond just the opponents. Avoiding the numerous rocks and snags became something of a navigational challenge for all the players. Of course there were swivels and cannons to create problems along with the taunts, insults and duels that could end up sending someone into the water.. And many ended up with their feet very wet this game.
Aramis and Pierre the Fisherman have been pushed into the water from swashbuckling actions of the Cardinal’s Guard. One Red Guard remains on Pierre’s boat and is looking to take Constance into custody.
As before initiative was by card draw each turn and as long as the dreaded “1” wasn’t rolled the player could keep moving their boat and the figures onboard. Of course ones were rolled by everyone at just the wrong time creating it’s own level of chaos. Greg did have an exceptionally long series of swashbuckling taunts that drove several of Steve T’s pirates into the water.
An overview of the game with Pierre’s Boat still entangles with two of the Cardinal’s Guard boats. Down river Steve T’s pirates can be seen floating in the river after Greg managed to roll numerous successful swashbuckling rolls.
The game saw numerous boarding actions by both Bev and Steve L as they pressed hard on DJ’s boat essentially working in tandem to keep it from going very far.
After Aramis made a desperate and dashing attempt escape taking Constance overboard and swimming towards the river bank. We find him in combat with a Cardinal’s Guard who although having two wounds put up a significant fight.
Late in the game we see Pierre’s Boat (DJ) pull away while Jay’s River Pirates head in to the fray. A close look sees Constance being taken back to a boat by a Cardinal’s Guard (Bev)
With great panache (and some good dice rolls) D’Artagnan himself jumped from the patrol boat onto Pierre’s fishing boat then across it to dive into the water taking on a Captain of the Cardinal’s Guard in and effort to free his heartthrob from their clutches and a certain fate.
At last report Constance was in the water hoping Jay’s River Pirate would offer her aid. Aramis was seriously wounded, Fisherman Pierre’s son was floating downriver, two of the Cardinal’s men were dispatched by the skill of the Musketeers. Pothos was slightly wounded, D’Artagnan had been pushed back away from Constance by a Cardinals Guard Captain, Plancet was hanging on a log in the river along with several pirates and it all sets up for yet another adventure!
The game end as we see the traffic jam in the middle of the board between snags and rocks and things. Constance is in the water as are many others. The Musketeers on the Patrol Boat are now in a position to join the battle and with there higher ratings should help turn the tide. Not all is certain, but it looks to lean heavily in favor of The King’s Musketeers.
Thanks to all the players for taking time to join in the this rules mash up. Our continued appreciation to Miniature Market Cave Springs for their for their support.
Remember to shop local.
###
