Tebbi and Blackclaw Adventures with Dwarven Forge

 

I've been working on the Dwarven Forge Dungeon Tiles over at the Minismith's Forge blog. WarGods minis look great on the tiles and who better to have a series of adventures than the "Butch and Sundance" of the WarGods world- Tebbi and Blackclaw.

Joined by their occasional partner Hoethet VII the Drunken Swordmaster, Tebbi and Blackclaw engage a Nekharu gang.

The Scorpion Mistress hired Tebbi and Blackclaw to accompany her to extract venom from the Lair of the Apophisphinx. While Blackclaw curses his poor skill with a bow which led to him being a better swordsman than his partner. Blackclaw has to Guard the Scorpion Mistress as Tebbi protects their flank from the oncoming Nile Pirates down the long hallway. 

In the depths of the Neapolitan catacombs, Tebbi and Blackclaw, with their foreign patron, confront the Serpent Witch and her Nekharu guards. 

In the winding halls of the Mystic Passage, Tebbi and Blackclaw confront their quarry. The Cannibal Hoplite had terrorized the streets of Pharos. But our antiheroes will soon discover there is an even darker hand behind this foreign fiend.

Arsenal of Ares Battle Reports - GenCon 2019

These are by no means complete battle reports- the pics of the minis aren't even that good because I was just using my cellphone camera. Just a general overall idea of the action and how my Amazon Warband of Dionysus performed. I'll try to include as much detail as I can recall, but most of my characters were not named and there was nary a Tethru Scribe or Epic Poet in sight...

The WarGods convention banner- it's been too long since I've seen it in battle...

My final warband build consisted of:

• Demigoddess of Dionysus - Absynthia the Abstract (not her final epithet!)
• Amazon Raiders (mounted Amazons with spears and shields)
• Amazon Outriders (mounted Amazons with bows)
• Amazon Outrider Champion
• Mother of Serpents
• Amazon Bodyguards (2 to keep Absynthia safe)
• Dionysus War Altar
• Maenads (next time I'm going to go with a larger unit)
• Satyr Archers
• Satyr Archer Champion
• Cretan Pirates
• Minotaur

This first battle was against Cathy's newly painted Corinthians of Apollo (I think). She had a couple of phalanxes and a unit of peltasts from Corinth, a Mycenean phalanx, a paymaster and a couple of heroes.

My units are the closest ones in the picture- from left to right: the Satyrs out ahead of everyone since they did not get too drunk the night before and showed up on time; the Cretan Pirates are the furthest back; the wild-eyed Maenads; Mother of Serpents (I really like her poison snakes and her awesome healing); Absynthia with her Bodyguards; the Amazon Raiders (a disgrace because they're not fully painted); the Amazon Outriders (using female Centaur archers as stand-ins); the Minotaur; and finally the War Altar which should probably not get into any type of battle situations.

Some action on the right with the Outriders causing Cathy's peltasts to evade away from the battle. Also on the right, the main meatgrinder of the battle- my Amazon Raiders getting stuck in with the Mycenean Phalanx. This wasn't the best use of the Raiders but they got the special divine brew bonus from Absynthia at teh start of the battle and I haven't really played for 7 years or so...

A closer view of the meatgrinder. It was a struggle for much of the battle. The Raiders would probably benefit from a champion in the unit.

More carnage across the battlefield! On the left, the Maenads vs one of the Corinthian phalanxes. Sadly they never outnumbered the Corinthians to be able to use their frenzied ability that would allow them to wrap around the unit and get an extra attack- thus I will be tweaking the unit to have more devotees for future battles. On the right the Outriders got stuck in with the Corinthian peltats so that they couldn't move around and cause any trouble to my other units. Also, on the far right, the Raiders were joined by the Minotaur (great idea, send the monster in to fight the phalanx from the monster-hunting City State!).

The carnage when we finally called the game sometime around turn 8 or 9. Cathy's Demigod managed to get the magic weapon in the center (the units from both sides were reduced significantly from the scrums there). On the right both Amazon cavalry units were pretty sorry looking but their enemies were also hurting. The Mother of Serpents was a big help killing the Paymaster. Absynthia didn't do much but look pretty- I need to go through her powers and do some tests before I next play.

For the next game, my opponent was from the Frozen North! Neither of us could believe that we hadn't played each other before, but I'm pretty sure that's right. 

Alex, of Forge of Ice, was playing the Crocodile Games' studio Spartan Warband because he had not intended to play but was bribed by someone. The Spartans were led by a Demigod of Zeus and their units were very vanilla (no fancy mythical beasts or anything exotic). The objective of this battle was to rescue (or capture) the Priestess of Eris- she was in the copse of trees in the center and Alex's demigod got to her first. Since his Demigod was Spartan AND of Zeus, he won the edge almost every turn...

The Minotaur and the Demigod of Zeus clash in a mini-provocation as the Mother of Serpents closes in. Alex had gotten a magic weapon in the previous battle that did an amazing 4 wounds* for every wound it did!

Oh no! the heroic Minotaur goes down because of the 4 wound* causing magical weapon. What will Absynthia's Warband do?!?!?

*Fitz came by and corrected us on the power of the magical weapon- it actually just had a damage modifier of 4, BUT if it wounded it COULD cause an extra wound. So the Minotaur was safe and still in the fight! The main focus of the battle was the Minotaur and Mother of Serpents versus the Demigod of Zeus- the onyl other major piece was control of the Priestess of Eris (which Alex kept getting because of his high Edge rolls).

The climactic clash between our Amazon heroes and the Spartan representative of the Patriarchy! I think it was turn 6 and Alex won the Edge again (but he only got to activate 1 unit because it was closer than the last few turns). He chose to activate the Priestess of Eris to get her closer to his table edge- focusing more on the scenario objectives. That's cool, because my Minotaur was able to whack him since I had the next activation. It was almost midnight and all the other games were done, so we called it since it was highly unlikely I could have gained control of the Priestess of Eris. Absynthia had been wounded when one of Alex's nearby phalanxes threw their spears because that's something that cost him a game waaay back in the battle for Ankhara. It was a surprise.

Nobody was happy with the outcome OR we were just messing around after a looong evening of playing our favorite game again after such a long hiatus...

Shefdu's Scrolls- Pandora's Box Finale

The Culmination of the Pandora's Box Crisis

OR

My Apparent Destruction in the Prison of Kronos

...thus Iodah, the Bes Hero of Kashik Oasis, and I raced through the cavern entrance downward towards the deep glow. As we travelled further below ground others of our Faction joined us from a branching cavern. When we neared our goal the cavern was filled with a bright flash of white light.

Our lost comrade Sakaris, ToTanem champion 'the Lion of Memphis,' along with a lost warrior from our newly arrived factionmates, appeared before us. Sakaris and the other warrior both sacrificed themselves to the ferryman so our warbands could cross the river to the Underworld. Both were now disembodied Ka, their will to continue to aid our cause took this quasi-physical form before us.

With our newly returned allies we entered a large cavern with several cave entrances and a large pool of roiling lava in the center. Two pillars of stone flanked a stone stairway leading up to a landing at the edge of the lava pool.

Standing on the landing with what was obviously Pandora's Box at his feet was the hulking form of the half-man half-Titan sorcerer, Xerxes. The Box lid was ajar with tentacles of some horrible monster writhing about from within. Around the cavern were numerous other entrances. Each entrance had disgorged members of either the Order Faction or the Chaos Faction (hereafter referred to as the “Minions of Xerxes”).

The fiend Xerxes addressed us all, gloating how we were too late to hinder his scheme. He had already begun the incantations which he claimed would assure him victory. His wicked laughter echoed through the chamber as members of the Order Faction, all great heroes from Hellas and Ægyptus intent on stopping whatever vile plan Xerxes had set in motion, sprung to the attack.

To my left, Sakaris blocked a Sphinx Abomination from attacking us. The ToTanem shade held his own for a moment but the undead monster swallowed him whole. Sakaris' sacrifice gave Iodah and I a moment to let loose arrows at the fiend Xerxes. Our shots had little effect because the fiend was protected by some sort of magical barrier.

Across the cavern I saw Abasi Benben, a Harbinger of Ptah, rush forward and unleash his Earthquake Ka power upon the closest pillar. Cracks appeared in the stone and dust and debris fell from the ceiling. A look of absolute terror flashed across the fiend Xerxes’ face. He screamed at Abasi Benben and aimed his staff. A burst of magical energy spewed forth and hit the ToTanem Harbinger with little effect.

Surprisingly a hand larger than a Sebeki splashed up from the pool of lava. It was then that I realized exactly where we were- this was undoubtedly the Prison of Kronos, the greatest of all the Titans. Kronos was imprisoned in ancient times by the combined might of the Olympian Gods in a secret place. Our struggle against the Minions of Xerxes immediately took on a more urgent tone. Abasi Benben‘s plan to topple the pillars was our only hope to keep Kronos safely imprisoned far from the outside world where the Titan would likely destroy all he surveyed.

Abasi Benben ran up to the pillar he had already damaged and let loose his Earthquake again. This time the pillar was destroyed and large chunks of rock fell from the ceiling as it cracked and buckled. The fiend Xerxes grew panicked and enraged, focusing a magical attack at Abasi Benben once more. I instructed Iodah to go to the aid of Abasi Benben while I would dealt with Xerxes. I called upon my Ka and flew to the landing where Xerxes stood directing his Minions against us. My struggle with the fiend was intense. I landed several wounding blows against him and managed to avoid his clumsy attacks.

Near the foot of the stairs I saw that the situation was growing dire for the Order Faction. Abasi Benben was now engaged in Provocation with a Dark Harbinger and the undead thing seemed to be getting the better of him. Nearby I saw another Tethru Harbinger engaged in Provocation with a Heru in the Aspect of the Defender whom had somehow lost his way to become a Minion of Xerxes. These sights distracted me from my struggle against the fiend. Unexpectedly Xerxes reached out with one of his massive hands and grabbed me.

By this time Kronos had emerged up to the waist in the pool of lava. Xerxes’ magics were too strong for me to overcome and I was tossed to the emerging ancient Titan.

I then found myself back in my library tent with the scroll I had immersed myself in still on the table in front of me….

GenCon 2011/ Pandora's Box Campaign Finale Part 3

And now the Finale of the Pandora's Box Finale:

Having lost my Harbinger in the most awesome way ever (better than the time DaveL's Harb was swallowed by that Abomination by far) all I had left in the fight was my Bes (Asar) Hero, Iodah. Unfortunately he'd spend the rest of the battle trying to make his Discipline Test to charge into the Titan on the steps.

Fitz reveals that Kronos is attempting to chomp on WHOEVER he can get his hands on. Debs is pleased that her evil Typhon Harbinger was able to avoid becoming a snack...

A Stone Colossus takes the fight to Xerxes. A valiant effort, but it doesn't manage to hurt him anywhere near as much as Shefdu did...

What's this? Pete's Tethru Harbinger has managed to best DaveL's Aspect of the Defender Heru Harbinger in Provocation? Meanwhile, Joe's heroic ToTanem Harb is locked in Provocation with a Dark Harbinger and he's not making any progress against the undead thing...

Fitz gleefully observes his malign machinations come to fruition as Debs takes a nice picture...

The Stone Colossus is defeated and falls into the lava pool...

A different ToTanem Harbinger manages to get to the remaining stone pillar and do a little damage. Pete's Tethru Harbinger gets into position to aid his brother Ægyptian with the power of Thoth...

Pete's Thethru Harbinger unleashes his Ka power Bolt of Energy at the pillar. Fitz dramatically figures the damage- and the pillar is destroyed! The cavern ceiling collapses in, killing everyone and re-imprisoning Kronos. But Xerxes, the architect of this whole situation, uses his dark magic to teleport to safety at the last second. That guy is really evil....

So the Tethru and ToTanem Harbingers played pivotal roles in saving the world from an Olympian-caused crisis.

One last shot of Shefdu's horrible/awesome fate. But the Scroll Traveller will return. He shan't be destroyed so easily....

Every time I go past the Children's Museum I have to try to take a picture of the dinosaurs busting through the wall. It's just so cool...

GenCon 2011/ Pandora's Box Campaign Finale Part 2

Continuing the Pandora's Box World Campaign Finale coverage:

Menthu goes to-to-toe with the evil Typhon Harbinger. He would eventually be joined by Young Wenenut (Asar Champion) who would take over his duties keeping the Typhon Harb tied up and away from most of the other fighting...

My ToTanem unit and Debs' Typon spears charge each other and get into a long slugfest. The heroic chariot driver of Shefdu's chariot also joined the fight and did some major damage to the hated Typhon...

Each Order Faction warband was given a Priestess of Athena, that's who my Isis Harb represents. She made it unmolested across the battlefield to the cave entrance.

Debs tries to use her "wife points" to get Fitz to rule in her favor on a rules question. :) It was actually an odd situation that no one knew what to do...

Pandora's Box!!!

The Pandora Finale creepy cavern looks a bit like the Golden Fleece Finale creepy cavern. I guess most villains have the same real estate agents...

Fitz sets the stage for the reveal of the big bad.

Part of team Order ready to kick some evil ass.

So the guy who's been directing the whole Chaos Faction turns out to be Xerxes, the half-Titan sorcerer. He's using Pandora's Box to bring something out of it's magical prison!

Each Order Faction warband had to sacrifice a character for the first battle to Charon so he would take them across the river Styx to the island with the cave entrances. Now our sacrificed guy returns to help us as a shade...

WTF!?! It's a huge hand coming out of the lava pool!

Joe's ToTanem Harbinger decided to go for the pillars of stone supporting the roof of the cave. It seemed like the best way to stop whatever was coming out of the lava pool.

I think this is when Shefdu decided to make his daring move to try to slow down Xerxes' plan...

Shefdu flew up to the top of the stairs to confront Xerxes in combat. Shefdu got 2 (2!) wounds on Xerxes in this first round of combat.

Down below, another Tethru Harbinger took it to DaveL's Heru Harbinger in the Provocation. Pete's Tethru Harb cast Fiery Aspect after the first round of combat.

WTF!?!?! Xexres' grandpa, Kronos, emerges from the lava pool! W are so screwed! But Shefdu fights on, doing another wound to Xerxes (the most wounds dealt to the villain by anyone).

Pete's Tethru harbinger continues to kick evil Heru butt...

Wait, what's that in his hand?

Shefdu! Nooooooooooo!

Before Kronos fully emerged from the lava pool, Xerxes managed to pick up Shefdu and toss him to gramps for a snack. Best heroic death of the whole finale. Take that Tethru haters. :p

Free of his prison, some of the Chaos Faction guys suddenly realize they are screwed because Kronos will likely eat them too! Tim's Dark Harbinger is the first to forge an uneasy alliance against our common enemy- death at the hands of a hungry Titan...