AAR: The Upton Chronicles: Quest for the Symbols of Radiance

The hook:

Deep in the jungle lie the Symbols of Radiance. Legends and rumors claim the Symbols bring immunity from disease, longevity of life, and unusually good fortune. The problem? A cannibalistic cult controls them, led by the brutal Chief Ekwueme, his son, Chinwendo, and the witch doctor, Akachi. 

An aging and sick Sir Reginald Upton hears about the Symbols, sees the personal possibilities, and cobbles together an expedition of loyal assistants. His son, Jimmy, wants the Symbols for...other (hello, financial opportunity?!)...reasons and gathers his own group of adventurous souls.

Two groups leave for the jungle, intent on retrieving the Symbols. Will either be successful, or will they be tomorrow's cannibal stew?

The rules:

Wiley Games Fistful of Lead, plus Tales of Horror.

The table:

Deep in the jungle, the cannibal village emerges from the foliage. At the far end of the area lies a uniquely carved cave complex set into a mountainous facade.

The teams/players:

Donnie: Sir Reginald, Ellie, Capt. Everhardt, Fire Marshal Bill, and Airman Jones

Terry: Jimmy, The Jackson brothers, Claire, and Prof. Edelstein

Ken: Chief Ekwueme and Shaman Akachi. Ted: Chinwendo

Ken & Ted: The grunt tribesmen

The game:

The village was minding its own business when out of the jungle erupted foreigners and gunfire! Chief Ekwueme and Shaman Akachi were basking in the glows of the the Symbols, while the rest milled as only extras will...

The initial fire favored the interlopers, but the scrum's tide quickly turned. There weren't a lot of wounds or shock taken in this this game. It was either kill or be killed. 

One by one the...heroes?...fell. A few of moments of note:  

Shaman Akachi never did deliver a spell.  His diminutive stature failed to strike fear into the hearts of either Jimmy or Sir Reginald.  Fortunately for him, his fellow cannibals more than compensated with blunt force.  

Professor Edelstein's beloved Native American peace pipe proved to be an outstanding club...until it wasn't.  The least combative figure on the table held off several attacks before succumbing to the natives.

Airman Jones, out of ammo, wounded, and stunned, bravely sacrificed himself to save Sir Reginald's life.

Fire Marshal Bill and his mighty fire axe took out multiple foes, but the last one got him in the short ribs.

The end was near and it looked dire. With everyone else down, Sir Reginald had to think fast or become tomorrow's stew. Surrounded by foes and not knowing the language, what can he do?!

Stay tuned, dear reader, for the next exciting chapter!

AAR: Advanced Song of Blades & Heroes: Elves vs Orcs

It was a typical day on the fringes of Man's territory. A roving band of Orcs, hoping to pillage a nearby Human settlement, closes in. Word had spread of this, causing alarm among the Wood Elves. Their lands were being used by the foul Orcs and this would not stand. The Orc marauders met the forward elements of an Elven scouting party next to a crossroad.

Game 1:
Players: Ken (Orcs) vs Terry (Elves)

The Orc force: A leader, brutes, beast rider, Hobgoblin archers, and warriors.

Elven host: Archers, stud archer, spearmen, leader, and Satyr.

The Hobgoblin gets into range...

...and dies.

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The Orc war leader goes toe-to-toe with the Elves.

He's a mean one, he is!

The fight ended with the Orcs losing too many troops and fleeing the table. Evidently longbows, in the hands of skilled archers, are deadly. Who knew?!

Game 2: Terry (Goblins) vs Ted (Elves)

The Goblins were late to the party. They were sent to back-up the Orcs and help with the pillaging. The Elves had been delayed as well. Consisting of duelists, they were ready for a scrum.

I see them, Sir!

Sneaky lil' buggers!

A squad of duelists surround their leader.

The Dryad hid in the woods and didn't do a thing.

The game was over fairly quickly. The Goblins lost their leader, making it hard for them to consistently activate. The Sneak Goblins wound up getting stuck in the woods and were thus ineffective. They eventually all ran to fight another day.