Waterly Memorial/Sixth of June 2015 Recap

Any BattleTech player who has kept up with the game post-Clan Invasion knows all about the Word of Blake, and most likely knows why the Sixth of June is an important date in the fictional universe. For those that don't;

Tukayyid. A backwater Rasalhague world that saw the initial end of the Clan's invasion of the Inner Sphere. ComStar spent its ComGuard forces in an all or nothing fight against the combined might of the invaders, winning a 15 year peace, in 3052. Seeking to capitalize on this, Primus Myndo Waterly ordered mercenary forces and ComGuard units across the Inner Sphere, military might sent to garrison HyperPulse Generator stations on countless worlds, into action to shut down communication and by default, make ComStar the de facto ruler of the Sphere. Unfortunately for her, most of the Guard disobeyed the order and the so-called Operation: Scorpion failed. Precentor-Martial Anastasius Focht and Precentor Dieron Sharilar Mori assassinated Waterly, on the Sixth of June, 3052. They then announced a Reformation based on the writings of Jerome Blake that Focht "miraculously" found on Terra. Waterly loyalists, including much of ComStar ROM (intelligence branch) fled Terra and other postings, meeting up on Gibson in the Free World's League, to form the Word of Blake. Later, the Word's Precentor-Martial, Trent Arian, was also assassinated on the Sixth of June, and replaced by Cameron St-Jamais, a member of the Word's subgroup... the Sixth of June.


See where we're going here?

(Prior to the BT, we played a bunch of games of Magic and all hung out. That part was cool but unrelated.)

So we set up a gaming night with the express goal to get in as many games as possible. Utilizing two tables, we set up four separate mapsheets for players to one on one each other with teams of three 'Mechs @ 200 tons, minus five tons per Clan 'Mech. We had eleven different three-'Mech teams to chose from, with a 12 (the Word of Blake force) being picked after people arrived. My initial goal was to let people match up as they wanted to and pick their forces and whatnot from the prebuilt group. Things got a little crazy because of the amount of people that arrived vs how many were playing and we ran into our first snag - only myself and Sean are versed in the game well enough that we don't need any (or much) rule double checking and stuff. Because we had an odd number of people, I planned on sitting out the first round. So we ended up with Sean teaching Brett - Khaos Chevaliers vs Blood Spirit Iota Galaxy; Rachel and Tiffy - Word's Light of Mankind vs Marik's 19th Marik Militia; Jesse and Jer - Ghost Bear Tau Galaxy vs 26th Royal Tyran Mechanized. I was bouncing around making sure everyone had their 'Mechs, printing out record sheets if need be, and taking care of the other guests.

Then Rachel needed me to take over for her. It was getting kind of loud and we had people that wanted to play video games, so she went over onto that stuff, and I squared off with Tiffy. There was frustration because I was focusing on that game, and answering questions from the other table, as well as from Jesse/Jer's game. But we got through them all, more or less. Tiffy conceded her game to me as the amount of background noise was getting to be too much. Jer and Jesse had a brutal slugfest that saw, in the end, two headshot deaths and one CT death on Jer's side vs no losses for Jesse. The short range brutality was epic. Over on table two, Sean finally took down Brett, proving that experience definitely makes up for technology.

Once the initial games were done, almost everyone drifted to do something else. Sean and I matched up, however, Jade Falcons vs Wolves. It was a savage, three turn win for me, as I decapitated one 'Mech and blew through the CT of another (like three CT shots in a row) to push him into a concession. Then we started one more, Draconis Combine vs Kuroi Kaze that we "paused," took position pictures of, and will be finishing this weekend. It was into move-countermove by the time we stopped playing, at 3am.

All in all, it was a great night and a great time and I'm glad so many members of the 357th were there in one place. However, next time, rather than do individual games, we'll probably lower the total number of people over here to just the one's playing & match them into one or two team games. Seems like it would be easier for everyone to focus.

Nooooow, the pictures. These aren't in my normal turn to turn order but I also didn't take most of them. They give a good feel for what was up though.

Trial of Possession, of Revenge, and of High Stakes

Once again, I have to apologize for the lack of updates. Unfortunately, much of what we've been doing has been posted on Facebook or Instagram, so it hasn't made it over here in a bit. To sum up a couple of our past games, though.

We had some serious Clan ruckus to start. A "team" four way Trial of Possession for a world on Clan Wolf's Periphery border. Jesse had his Ghost Bears in full gear, with a Stone Rhino, Wyvern IIC, and Mad Dog. Sean also brought a Stone Rhino, as well as a Nova and Hunchback IIC. Guest player Jen had 'Mech selection help from Sean, and ended up with a Turkina, a Cauldron-Born, and...something small. I actually don't remember what her third 'Mech was, as it died quickly. I'll get to that in a moment. I, of course, represented Clan Wolf well, with a Dire Wolf, Blood Reaper, and Hellion.

The initial plan was to divide into two sides - Wolf/Bear vs Falcon/Spirit. What we actually decided on once 'Mechs hit the field is that the winner of the Bear vs Blood Spirit fight would match with the winner of the Wolf vs Jade Falcon scrap. Then, to make it even more interesting, we added a house rule - lose a 'Mech, take a Jagerbomb. Now, I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone out there how bad an idea it is to mix drinking with BattleTech, especially when we were all drinking a bit, but it's a bad idea. As in, several hours to play three turns bad.

So what happened here is that on the Spirit/Bear side, a super lucky shot from Jesse's Stone Rhino head capped Sean's Stone Rhino, and then later took down his Nova. Whilst not losing a 'Mech. Which put the Hunchback IIC at a disadvantage, especially with blowing through UAC/20 rounds like hot cakes.

On the Wolf/Falcon end, the smallest Falcon 'Mech died on turn one, the Cauldron-Born died on turn three, the Turkina couldn't hit the Hellion but did damage the Dire Wolf a lot.

Because we were all getting soused (Jesse and Sean especially), we called it with a Ghost Wolf win over the Blood Falcon forces.

However, to paraphrase a quote from Patlabor 2, in the aftermath of an unjust peace lay the seeds for the next war...

So then we came to the Trial of Freebirthasskicking, aka Sean is really upset that Jesse beat him so badly that he wanted a rematch. And no teams this time to blame it on. I called total weight. Unfortunately, we had an unforeseen complication - one of Jesse's friends from Minnesota planned on surprising him by being here waiting. In his excitement, he ended up selecting far underweight and as the defender, he also chose the maps (which gave Sean the choice of map edge), which also did not end up in his favor.

Ghost Bears rocked the Stone Rhino, the Mad Dog, Solitaire, and Bear Cub. Blood Spirits brought a Kodiak, Timber Wolf, and a pair of Crimson Langurs. You see the problem here already?

The banter between the guys and our guest made the game pretty light hearted, but the Bears faced a daunting uphill battle against a seasoned veteran of multiple campaigns and pick up games.

Then it went downhill fast...

At which point Jesse tried self immolation to gather his warrior spirit...

But it did not help..

Jesse's Mad Dog takes three shots from Sean's Kodiak - two slugs of LB 20X and a medium laser all in the CT. Lots of boom. Bears call it being basically down two 'Mechs ('Dog and Solitaire). Sean, being who he is, took no pleasure from the win and is willing to give Jesse a rematch when he can focus more on the game. And also at a point where I pick the mapsheets and ensure both sides are matching tonnage. Just in case.

Now, part of the reason that updates have been so slow is that we'd planned on also starting a D&D chronicle, which we're still building characters for, and then I got back into playing Magic with Rachel, and also with Tiffy and Jer at some point, in exchange for the two of them playing more BattleTech. And with my upcoming marriage & family time stuff, my gaming time has severely been curtailed for right now. Look for more updates to be coming in the near future doh!

 

Operation Annwyn Rising - Unit Spotlight: Clan Blood Spirit

BattleMech Y3 Facility
York, Clan Homeworlds
5 September 3067

"I bid the Carmine Guards."

Star Colonel Zane Schmitt's soft voice rarely carried over the din of his compatriots, but this one sentence alone was enough to quiet the gathering of Clan Blood Spirit's Bloodnamed warriors.

"Star Colonel, the established cutdown for this operation is a full Galaxy. Even if a single Cluster could take the targeted worlds, holding them would prove problematic. We cannot risk losing gains before they are adequately reinforced. Or would you risk the death of our Clan?"

The rebuke from his Clan's junior leader, saKhan Troy Boques, did nothing to diminish the rare smile on Schmitt's face. In fact, he was expecting his bid to be challenged immediately. Any sibko graduate could read the Khan's invasion outline, timetable, and minimum force requirements. What took a true strategic mind to read was the way in which much of the initial requirement could be circumvented entirely, or at least quickly.

The murmur of voices once again began to rise in support of the saKhan. Khan Karianna Schmitt, senior leader of the Blood Spirits, remained silent, urging her warrior to continue in his assessment.

"With due respect, my Khan, you are in err. We are the true inheritors of the great Kerensky's vision. We alone have followed His wisdom and for that, we have endured a hardship beyond any other Clan. We have been marginalized and pushed into the fringe of Clan society. To many, we are barely elevated above that of the Dark Caste. No, my Khan, failure would not be the death of our Clan. Failure would be the death of Kerensky's dream."

The silence was deafening. Not a warrior dared to breathe noticeably. The weight of the proposed operation and of Zane Schmitt's words pressed heavily upon the gathering.

"The Star Colonel speaks truth. I stand corrected. So tell us, then, what you can do with a single Cluster."

As Schmitt laid out his machinations, both Khans slowly shared his smile. Their acceptance and support was quick in coming.

Trial Grounds
Marshall, Clan Homeworlds
1 October 3067

The impressive light show of extended range large laser shots being traded lit up the night sky of Marshall. On one end, a fifty ton Crimson Langur OmniMech danced nimbly, relying on speed and the dogged determination of its pilot to dodge and weave the incoming fire. On the other, an eighty five ton Blood Kite BattleMech deftly maneuvered to turn successful hits into glancing blows. What had begun as a Trial of Possession, a Harvest Trial really, for a portion of Clan Fire Mandrill's Mattila-Carrol force, devolved into a personal duel between the two 'Mechs.

The remainder of two Binaries worth of Clan forces stood at the edges of the circle, watching their leaders tear into each other with a reckless abandon usually reserved for forces with a deep hatred of one another, not allies. Banter and wagers on a common frequency belied the ferocity of the battle.

Darting into shorter range, the Langur utilized its powerful targeting computer to lay accurate laser fire into the heart of the Blood Kite, adding paired heavy medium lasers to the extended range barrage. The Kite rocked backwards, but the MechWarrior at its controls was prepared for the onslaught, and responded by unleashing a hellstorm of long and short range missiles. Though the heat build up was intense, it had the desired result. The yellow and red parade scheme of the Crimson Langur was ruined, its armor melted in a dozen places.

Attempting to back peddle, hot cycling its weapons despite the risk, the Langur stumbled and lost the one advantage it held. Without speed and the ability to evade fire, the duel became far more one-sided. The Blood Kite contained a strategist, a tactician, a thinker known more for his skill at the planning session than on the field, but the outcome had been decided before Star Colonel Zane Schmitt climbed into his cockpit. Avoiding the Langur's battered head, the Kite emptied the last of its missile ammunition into the internal structure of its legs, severing them both at the knee.

"Yield, Amanda Carrol. This Trial is concluded. Welcome to Clan Blood Spirit."

Staging Point Alpha
Helghan Enclave, Colleen System, Clan Homeworlds
18 November 3067

Iota Galaxy Commander Zane Schmitt, architect of Operation: Annwyn Rising, slowly and methodically approaches a podium erected for this one moment, this moment that will be broadcast to all in-system ships and transmitted to allied forces throughout the Kerensky Cluster. Banners bearing the blood red teardrop insignia of Clan Blood Spirit flutter in the breeze kicked up by the exhaust of dozens of DropShips landing and departing. This moment of time, this small slice of existence, has been building for more than a decade. Since the Clans returned to the Inner Sphere, since the failed intervention during the Burrock Absorption, since the loss of the Great Refusal, since the founding of the Colleen System and the Star Adder invasion of York, it has been coming. This culmination of choices made since Nicholas Kerensky named the Blood Spirits for the esprit de corps of the original 800 founders. This is a moment where the entire course of a people's history will change and he will be there to spearhead it. To spearhead a return home. To take Khan Karianna Schmitt's vision and make it an undeniable reality.

Hundreds of warriors, thousands of the lower castes, below await his words. Trueborn and freeborn, MechWarrior and Elemental, Scientist and Laborer, Spirits all.

"My people...

Sons and daughters of Kerensky. For many years, we have been a broken Clan; shunned, oppressed and invaded by those we sought to escape!"

He pauses as the assemblage nods in agreement whilst shouting for death to their dishonorable enemies.

"Ten years ago, our Khan asked for time and that time was granted by you; the strength in my arm, the holders of our dream."

The roar of a Union DropShip leaving for orbit muffles the sounds of his warriors, but cannot compete fully with their volume.
 
"Our Founders embarked upon the greatest Exodus in the history of all mankind; an Exodus for freedom. The Kerensky Cluster became that freedom! To survive on these new worlds, we changed our bodies. At first, the reliance on iron womb technology weakened us. In fact, we were growing stronger. We were becoming... Superior.
 
In the time you have given me, I have rebuilt our Touman. I have rebuilt our strength. And I have rebuilt our pride!

Our enemies in the Homeworlds have been re-educated. We have given them new insight into our cause. On this day, we stand united once more. On this day, those driven to divide us, will hear our voice! On this day, we shall act as one and we shall be ignored no more!"

Breathlessly, he pauses again. He has them. He knows he has them.

"Defenders of Clan Blood Spirit, now is our time!"

This time, not even the engines of the DropShips can match the thunderous cacophony of the assemblage. 

As he steps out of the light, he feels an elation he has never experienced before. Each and every warrior, every scientist and technician, every merchant and laborer. Every single member of Clan Blood Spirit would fight and die and cleave a path straight to Terra if he so commanded. Galaxy Commander now, but soon Khan, and then ilKhan, Zane Schmitt feels the terrible weight of purpose pressing down upon him and finds it a sensation to which nothing in the universe could compare. He embraces it like a lover as he prepares to depart for the Inner Sphere.

(Scolar Visari, how I picture this entire scene adapted wholesale from the Killzone 1 intro.)

The Wars of Reaving book put the most logical end to the Blood Spirits that FM: Updates made available - their eventual destruction. The smallest, most isolationist of Kerensky's Clans, it was almost as if they were set up to die a dramatic death... It's an outcome I've never disagreed with, especially given how well it was written. That being said, I'm still left with a beast Iota Galaxy cluster-in-progress and, well, since the Horses have never been one of my favorites... Thus we have a moved up timetable for the Spirits colonization efforts in the Colleen system to 3062, and added the claiming of the command binary of the Mattila-Carrol Kindraa, along with the elite 61st Firestorm Cluster and newly formed 1st Fire Assault Cluster (and the Lola-III Rage) to form the core of a reconstituted Delta Galaxy. With Honor and Haven as a spring board, the Spirits get a jump on the Horse's invasion time table, throwing the BattleTech Universe into a different direction.

Prior to the start of a 5th SW/Jihad era Inner Sphere in Flames campaign, the Blood Spirit Iota and Delta Galaxies (with an elite cluster of Alpha) hit Clan Wolf's Periphery holdings in a Wars of Reaving style mini-campaign, securing a planetary beachhead vis a vis the canon "Hellion's Fury" campaign. Instead of Ice Hellion & Hell's Horses, I'm thinking Blood Spirit and Cloud Cobra (Wolf/Jade Falcon OZs respectively) with potentially shuffling CBS to the Ghost Bear Dominion so that the Horses can still hit Wolf. It'd be a tougher fight to get pretty much anything, but if they focus on the GB/Kurita border worlds, that'd make a bit of sense after the Great Refusal and Blood Spirit loss against the Genyosha (fiat). Little round 2 vs the Draconis Combine, eh?

CLAN BLOOD SPIRIT
TASK FORCE: ANNWYN

Unit Commander - (Iota)Galaxy Commander Zane Schmitt
Aide de Camp - (Delta)Galaxy Commander Amanda Carroll
Location - Noveaux Paris, Deep Periphery

Carmine Guards Alpha Command Star
Blood Kite 2 – (Iota)Galaxy Commander Zane Schmitt
Stone Rhino 2
Direwolf H
Direwolf A
Kodiak 3

Alpha Surat Star
Blood Asp Prime
Warhawk H
Marauder IIC 2
Timberwolf D
Hunchback IIC

Carmine Guards Bravo Command Star
Crimson Langur A – (Zeta)Galaxy Commander Amanda Carroll
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime

Bravo Striker Star
Ice Ferret Prime
Arctic Cheetah H
Kit Fox H
Kit Fox H
Mist Lynx H

Bravo Elemental Star
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser

Carmine Guards Charlie Command Star
Warhawk Prime
Blood Kite
Blood Kite
Blood Kite
Blood Kite

Charlie Lineholder Star
Shadow Cat Prime
Nova A
Hunchback IIC
Crimson Hawk
Adder Prime

Carmine Guards Delta Command Star
Hellbringer Prime
Crossbow Prime
Ice Ferret H
Storm Crow H
Jenner IIC

Delta Support Star
WVR-7H Wolverine II
MON-66GX Mongoose Gunslinger
MON-66GX Mongoose Gunslinger
UrbanMech IIC
Enyo Pursuit Tank
Enyo Pursuit Tank

Delta Salamander Star
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser

ALPHA GALAXY, RED GUARDS

Unit Commander -  Star Colonel/Cloud Cobra ilChi Carmen Zadok
Aide de Camp - Star Commander Stefanie Polczyk
Location - Bazaar, Deep Periphery

Alpha Command Star
Direwolf H - Star Colonel Carmen Zadok
Blood Asp Prime
Blood Asp Prime
Gargoyle B
Timberwolf H

Alpha Battle Star
Kingfisher H - Star Commander Stefanie Polczyk
Blood Asp A
Blood Asp A
Spirit Walker A
Spirit Walker A

Alpha Sweep Star
Crossbow H
Coyotl Prime
Nova H
Hellion B
Night Chanter A

Bravo Comand Star
Turkina A
(Blood Kite 2)
Kingfisher H
Rifleman IIC 3
Night Gyr H

Bravo Battle Star
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime
Ebon Jaguar H
Black Lanner H
Huntsman H

Bravo Strike Star
Battle Cobra H
Clint IIC
Clint IIC
Arctic Cheetah H
Jenner IIC

 

Charlie Command Star
(Blood Kite)
(Septicemia) Prime
(Osteon) Prime
(Cephalus) D
(ProtoMech A)
(ProtoMech B)
(ProtoMech C)
(ProtoMech D)
(ProtoMech E)

Charlie Assault Star
Annihilator C2 - 
Atlas C2
Guillotine IIC
Archer C

Archer C

Charlie Battle Star
PLG-3Z Pillager
TDK-7X Thunderhawk
Hoplite C
(Spartan C)
Shogun C

Delta Command Star (P)
(Mars
Mars
Donar
Donar
Joust
Joust
Epona
Epona
Athena
Athena)

Delta Beta Star (M)
Morrigu
Morrigu
Ares

Ares
Asshur
Asshur
Shamash
Shamash
Svantovit
Svantovit

Delta Charlie Star (P)
Demolisher C
Demolisher C
SRM Carrier C
SRM Carrier C
Von Luckner (Royal)
Von Luckner (Royal)
Pike C
Pike C
Pike C

Pike C

Echo
Some kinda infantry, probably just 75 Elementals

Note - ilChi Carmen Zadok is responsible for coordinating joint actions and trials between the Blood Spirits and Cloud Cobras as Operation: Annwyn Rising swings into full effect.

Note 2 - Khan Schmitt's Trial of Refusal Star can be built out of this to fight Hohiro's Genyosha detachment, if one so chose. It's almost impossible for the Genyosha to win though, despite my enjoyment of Hohiro, without significant luck or writer fiat. 

Trial of Refusal Star
Blood Kite - Khan Karianna Schmitt (2/0)
Battle Cobra B - saKhan Troy Boques (2/1)

Kingfisher C - MechWarrior Matthius (2/3)
Kingfisher A - MechWarrior Jason Keller (1/2)
Crossbow A - MechWarrior Norris (3/3)

Of Bears and Wolves

I've been meaning to post this all week, but life tends to take over. Add that to the twelve other blogs I have saved to add later.

Breaking out the training map sheets, Clan Wolf's Alpha Galaxy (fielded by myself) sought to break in a new player (Jesse), utilizing the "Nordic Klingons" Clan Ghost Bear's Tau Galaxy. Working on a quicker than normal game, we broke away from Clan tradition of stars to each command a trio of points. To the left, we have an Alpha Mad Cat Mk II, Hellion, and Sun Cobra. To the right, Tau Gladiator/Executioner, Ryoken/Stormcrow, and Bear Cub. The Bears took the east end of the map, whilst the Wolves hit up the west.

First turn, as normal, was spent maneuvering into shooting range. Second turn, however, the Wolves tore into the Bears with reckless abandon. Disregarding zellbrigen (possession of this particular world is more important than personal honor), the Hellion, Sun Cobra, and Mk II all focused on dropping the Bear Cub. With well placed salvos, the armor melted away until a core breach caused it to crumple inward.

The Bears learned from their early Trial miscalculation. The Executioner chose to anchor the Bear line near the eastern pond as the Stormcrow pushed north for a flanking angle. Using cross-pattern shooting solutions, the Tau pair landed solid blows against the Sun Cobra, spoiling its aim against them. The Mk II and Hellion spread their damage outward, as the Wolf trio guarded each other like a true pack.

The Executioner and the Mk II face each other as equals, but the veteran skills of the Wolves see their lighter elements tackling the Stormcrow on the other side of the pass. Trading armor for time, the Stormcrow manages to take down the Sun Cobra, but is finished by the Hellion.

Blurry as hell. And yet, there it is. The Mk II headcaps the Executioner, killing its pilot there beside the pond. The Wolves take ownership of the planet, looking forward to using its resources to strengthen the Clan's Touman.


Jesse did great for his first time out, picking up all of the rules as he went and a lot of the background of the universe. Pulled the FM: Warden Clans out of the library and loaned him that, along with the universe sourcebook from the box set. It grows and grows and grows.

Looking forward to many more Clan games in the future. I imagine the Bears will be a powerful for in the 5th Succession War.

Roster and Records - Retired

I'll be posting this one as a sticky to track our wins, losses, and campaign achievements. Via Word, I tend to make a brick to follow stats but since I'm not as good at doing it within the framework of blogspot, I'll just keep it up as a roster list.

This is a full-on reset. Only games played from 23 Jan 14 on will count. Campaign ribbons earned previously will still count, however, as they're still on-going. E-mail me the outcome of any games played so that I can keep this as up to date as possible.

100 - Fen
Faction; Clan Wolf (P), Mercenary (S), Draconis Combine (T)
Unit; Golden Keshik/1st Wolf Assault Cluster/13th Battle Cluster/Wolfkin Keshik/11th Battle Cluster (P), Kuroi Kaze (S), Otomo/1st Genyosha (T)

Standard - 17/6  46 Kills
Alpha Strike - 6/5 40 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Outreach Campaign
Operation: Nachtfalke Campaign
Operation: Frostbite Medal
Ace (Obsidian)
Robeslayer
Waterly Memorial Medal (5)


101 - Mitch
Faction; Lyran Alliance (Primary)
Unit; 4th Skye Rangers (Primary)

Standard - 2/0 4 Kills
Alpha Strike - 0/1 4 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Operation: Frostbite Medal
Waterly Memorial Medal

102 - Rachel
Faction; Word of Blake (Primary)
Unit; SIGNs (Primary), 53rd Shadow Division (Secondary)

Standard - 4/3 5 Kills
Alpha Strike - 5/5 31 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Outreach Campaign
Ace (Bronze)
Waterly Memorial Medal (5)
Mercslayer
Clanslayer
Operation: Frostbite Medal

103 - Sean
Faction; Federated Suns (Primary)
Unit; 1st Davion Rangers

Standard - 6/10 23 Kills
Alpha Strike - 4/3 24 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Standard Bearer
Ace (Platinum)
Waterly Memorial Medal (2)
Operation: Nachtfalke Campaign
Clanslayer

104 - Jer (KIA)
Faction; Mercenary (Primary)
Unit; 26th Royal Tyran (Primary)

Standard - 2/1 4 Kills
Alpha Strike - 

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal (3)

105 - Tiffy (MIA)
Faction; Free Worlds League (Primary)
Unit; 19th Marik Militia (Primary)

Standard - 0/3 1 Kills
Alpha Strike - 

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal (3)

106 - Jesse
Faction; Clan Ghost Bear (Primary), Capellan Confederation (Secondary)
Unit; 1st Bear Regulars, Tau Galaxy (Primary), Three Kingdoms Lancers (Secondary)

Standard - 2/6 6 Kills
Alpha Strike - 

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal (2)
Ace (Bronze)
Operation: Nachtfalke Campaign
Operation: Frostbite Medal

107 - Lindsey aka Amanda (KIA)

Standard - 0/1 1 Kills

Ribbons and Awards

108 - Brian

Standard - 0/1 0 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal

109 - Poppy

Standard - 0/0 0 Kills
Alpha Strike - 0/0/1

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal

110 - Kilcoin

Standard - 0/0 0 Kills
Alpha Strike 1/0/1

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal

Members in Absentia

1XX - Mikal Fangrender
Faction - Mercenary (Primary), Clan Wolf (Secondary)

Standard -
Alpha Strike -

Ribbons and Awards
Operation: Nachtfalke Campaign

'Tis The Season (To Fire At Will)

"But who is Will?"

Yes.

Now that we have the tired joke out of the way, I apologize deeply for not keeping up posting games & what not but 1) we took a small break for a bit during the busy external season and 2) many of the things that I would post here, I've actually just been throwing on Facebook for the convenience of it all. However, with 2013 coming to and end, it's time to get back up on 'dis shit right hurr.


WHAT HAS PAST
November was a big month for us collectively. We had a few good games, but this one was easily the best/largest we've played in a long while.

Warm welcomes to Tiffy and Jer, on their first game with the 357th. Completely new to the game and universe, we split them up and paired them with a seasoned vet for a double lance stand up fight; Coalition (26th Royal Tyran and Kuroi Kaze) vs Alliance (Word of Blake and 19th Marik Militia). Normally, we do single lance on lance but I figured the best way to teach someone how to utilize their pieces is to give them plenty. Fortunately, both caught onto the rules quickly with only a few reminders of how to tally up rolls. Because they're both competitive (like all of us), the shit-talking was flying fast and furious.

This was turn two. The Koto hit the high ground to the north and the Griffin/Red Shift flanked the southern half. That Bloodhound started its own flanking maneuver as Blake and Marik formed a solid advancing line. Maneuvering around the lake slowed the advance of my Tetsubo but Jer's Marauder II ensured that anything getting too far out would be in for a world of hurt. 

By this point, the two forces gave up most pretenses of a battle plan and clashed centerline. The middle of the battlefield ran molten with the streams of melted armor and shattered flakes of ferro composites as we hammered into each other. The Ninjato hit the ground this turn, and the Jackrabbit bought the farm. The Euyuleka really got battered but weathered the attacks quite well. Not bad for a Canopian-designed 'Mech.

Same turn, Koto/Bloodhound brawlin'.

Endgame. We played to four kills and this basically finished things up. The Marauder II, the Atlas II, the Awesome, and the Tetsubo could have easily gone for three or four more turns barring head shots. But it was getting late and the Coalition dominated. Well, not so much dominated since it came down to a one kill difference, but we did kick some serious ass.

WHAT WILL COME

So then, 2014 is right around the corner and that leaves us open to resolutions and goals. As a group, we want to continue to expand and bring new players into the fold. I have several that I'd like to see sit down for a game & a couple that I would like to get into things on a regular basis. That's also a personal goal. I need to get back into playing every week or two. My skills and memory get rusty if I'm not exercising them often.

Unit goals;
Got a few of these. First and foremost, I need to finish painting up the Draconis Combine Otomo (one left currently) and 26th RTM (four left) companies. I have about a lance or so each for the Marik Militia and Capellan Warrior House units that need to be assembled and painted, and the usual odds & ends for the Kuroi Kaze. Ghost bear Tau is almost combat ready and I still have a couple Blood Spirit Zeta/Fire Mandrill Matilla-Carrol to go. Might have a stray Wolf being prepped too.

New stuff for 2014 will include a Diamond Shark Beta Galaxy trinary+ (already have a star primed), possibly another Clan that we're lacking (Goliath Scorpion/Escorpion Imperio maybe, a Society Jaguar unit, or Snow Raven/Raven Alliance), a new mercenary outfit (Freya's Faithful - a collection of former Jarnfolk sell-swords with 'Mech training and aspirations towards glory), and a new pirate-esque band known only as The Remnant (thinking fringers that remember the days of the Rim World Republic using old RWR Rampages, retrotech and the more common Star League units). And, Clan Wolverine/The Minnesota Tribe/The Immortals/The Blood. I've been looking forward to building this since Operation: Klondike came out. With all the Jihad books finished, there is plenty of information that makes it easy to believe the Wolverines roam around Koryo and the Hidden Five. Time to bring them out to play.

Continuing stuff for 2014 will be the Kuroi Kaze, as usual, and another binary of Wolves for sure. I'd like to pick up some of the new sculpts for the Unseen/Reseen (especially the Marauder X) for the 26th RTM and proceed to prioritize whichever units are seeing the most use.

Campaign goals;
Nachtfalke. 5th SW. Massive multiplayer offline table top wargaming.

Stay tuned and I will really do my best to get back into this.