So, I think I mentioned that when I was off work sick back in August, I struggled my way through reading the original version of "Last of the Mohicans"? This got me to thinking about the character figures I had painted back in 2023, and whether I might be able to finally get them into action. Resorting to my lazy scenario tool, I asked Co Pilot to create me a mini skirmish level campaign. based on the events in the book - and tonight's game is the first of eight scenarios it came up with. I played using a half-remembered version of Andrews fantasy skirmish rules, making Hawkeye a +3 hero, Chingatchcook and Magua +2. Uncas and Major Howard +1 and Cora, Alice and the standard Hurons 0.
Here is how it went over about an hour of play
29" square table ready for action. In the first scenario, Hawkeye and his colleagues have to get the Major and sisters from one side of the table to the other, crossing the river. Right to left above, left to right below.
The party. (The Major is played by a Front Rank version of General James Wolfe!)
Magua, who starts the game as their guide
The journey commences
To simulate the sudden betrayal of Magua, I rolled 2 D6 at the start of each turn - any double would mean a Huron ambush and Magua attempting to grab one of the Munro sisters!
I was beginning to wonder if I would roll any doubles!
And then on about turn 4, I did. Magua grabbed at Cora, the elder sister in the blue dress ....
But the feisty lass fought him off!
Temporarily defeated, Magua darted into the cover of the surrounding forest, as his Huron war party sprung their ambush.
Chingatchcook and Uncas sprinted back down the path to engage the enemy.
Uncas was the first to take down one of the enemy warriors
Chingatchcook confronted the traitorous Magua
More Hurons advanced on the party from across the river
Through a combination of close combat and excellent marksmanship, most of the Hurons were knocked out of the game.
Hawkeye and the Major led the Munro girls across the river towards safety
As the two remaining Hurons beat a hasty retreat!
Chingatchcook and Magua faced off for one-on-one combat
Magua prevailed, putting a hit on the Mohican chief!
But Uncas then fired his musket, wounding the Huron in turn
Magua ducked back into the cover of the trees
Shaken by the experience of the savage attack, the party moved slowly forwards
Uncas leading the way
Magua and two Hurons slunk after them, concealed by the forest
Uncas scouting ahead of the main party
Magua glared angrily and made a bird call to signal his men
Just as it seemed the party would escape (I rolled no doubles for about 6 turns in a row!) ......
..... more Huron warriors appeared in front of them!
And then, two more popped up in the forest to their right!
A round of musketry left the Major and Chingatchcook carrying hits.
And Uncas was overpowered by a Huron warrior and captured!
The Major, however, came to his aid!
A desperate struggle ensued, as two Hurons closed in on Alice and Cora!
Alice managed to evade capture
And Hawkeye fought off an attack by TWO Hurons!
Then, a Huron warrior grabbed Alice and started dragging her away... until Hawkeye intervened, pulling her to safety!
Uncas faced off against another Huron ....
......and only just defeated him
A round of musket fire from the Major, Chingatchcook, Uncas and Hawkeye knocked down most of the remaining Hurons, as Alice and Cora ran for safety.
"My goodness, Alice, that was a close call!" Cora exclaimed.
"This is not the end" Magua snarled as he watched his erstwhile prey slip from his grasp.
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So, that was a bit of fun, and very cinematic - a couple of times, I thought "they are just going to walk off" and then a double brought on the Hurons - and then, a couple of times I thought "this campaign is going to be over before it starts" because the Hurons seemed to be on the verge of winning the scenario outright! Instead of which, the goodies escaped and live to fight another day, just like in the book/movie!
I will try and play the scenarios every few days, to keep my interest up and get through the campaign in a couple of weeks - let's see how I get on!
