CHRISTMAS TOY SOLDIERS GAME 2022 - SLAY BELLS RINGING

 

Another Holliday Season is upon us and that means it is time for the annual Toy Soldiers Game. This was the first outing for my newest Fast Play rules. The rules are targeted for larger numbers of players to be able to understand easily and play games of around 15 turns in 4 hours. They still need some testing, polishing, and a little expanding so, I will post details on them later. 

The game pitted the attacking forces of Queen Azkadellia's (The Wicked Witch) army of Otherwhen against King Charming's army of Nodd defending an area of high ground in front of the Mighty River. After losing the resent battle of Tinsel Town, King Charming had given orders for a general retreat, then parted the army to review the construction of the defenses around Sugarton. The King left his fiery General Hans C. Anderson in charge of the army in his absence.  Rather than retreat back to Sugarton, General Anderson decided he could stop Otherwhen's advance here and erase the loss of Tinsel Town from his reputation. General Anderson's confidence of victory grew when he saw the small size of the pursuing forces of Otherwhen. 

Unbeknown to General Anderson was that General L. Carrol in command of the Guard, had been given direct order to save the Guard and "Get them to Sugarton" by the King himself on his departure. Torn between duty to the King, loyalty to his comrades in arms, and his own desire to seek revenge for the insult of Tinsel Town General Carrol delayed his Brigades withdrawal to see how the battle turned. 

Otherwhen Forces Appear Ready to Give Battle Against Nodd. 

Arrayed for Battle the Otherwhen Forces Appear Outnumbered. 

Nodd's Army Offers Battle Feeling Secure on Their Superior Position on the Highground.  

On Their Right Otherwhen Forces Advance Up the Valley to Avoid Fire from the Nodd Artillery Covering the Opposite Valley. 

As Massed Otherwhen Reinforcements Appear Nodd's General's Anderson and Carrol Realize Their Mistake in Trying to Hold Here. 

The Trap is Sprung as Elite Combined Forces of Otherwhen Suddenly Appear Behind the Right Flank of Nodd's Army. 

Nodd's Right Flank Being Assailed from the Front and the Flank Have Been Forced to Retreat Back Through the Woods. 

With More Enemies Continually Arriving Nodd Forces are Unsure Which Way to Go.

With Artillery Firing Directly in Their Faces Otherwhen's Elite Cavalry and Infantry Continue on Pounding on the Enemy Flank.  

On the Opposite Side of the Field Seasoned Otherwhen Troops Emerge from the Valley Driving the Nodd Forces Back. 

Lead Forward by Otherwhen's Famous Zeebatillion "Orcas" with Fire and Steel They Drive Back Nodd's Celebrated Black Barron's Brigade.

With the Situation Desperate Genral Anderson Personally Rides Forward to Attempt to Inspire his Troops to Hold as The Guard and Others Attempt to Retreat Across the Mighty River Bridge. 

By battles end General Anderson had saved the entire Guard and nearly half the rest of his army, but at a high cost. His best cavalry and infantry lay fallen on the field. Otherwhen had been slowed, but their losses were minimal. In a day they would have rested and reformed and again be on their way to battle King Charming. 

For the most part the rules ran smoothly. A few issues arose, such as no rule for Command casualties, and the low casualty rate from shooting. Basic mechanics all are sound, and Command Control worked out the way I wanted it. Rules are tweaked, missed parts have been added and a fuller roll for the army C-in-C is being worked on. All this leads me to the conclusion there will be a new battle sooner than later.