The Case of 'Swiss' Tony's Thumb and the Lady Mayoress - Turn 1

In the pre-game set-up, there were some pre-conditions the players had to follow. Doug was tasked to put six guards out in the grounds of Snapcase Hall. These guards could be in cover but not inside buildings. Within the Hall, he had to pick a room for him and Mimsie to spend the night in. The Lady Mayoress and one guard were to be in another room. Although Vagabond was not aware of this, the other six members of the Cowie Firm were dispatched on a recce for a future wages snatch. They were to be available as reinforcements later in the game, at the discretion of the GM. The six guards in the garden were then under the control of the GM, using the stealth rules from Black Ops. The rules used were a mixture of Black Ops from Osprey, GEEZERS! "Shut It!" from Killer B Games and the rest I made up as we went along! This meant that Doug had very limited control at the start. 'Swiss' Tony could not emerge and take control until the alarm was raised by the guards in the garden. When the alarm was raised, Doug would then fully control all his figures on the board.

The game itself was designed to have two separate tables, the exterior of Snapcase Hall and the interior. The photos will have to wait for a later post as the game is still in progress. Only views that the players can see are being posted.

Vagabond has to plan his raid with only the sketch map previously published. The guards positions were roughly marked on a second sketch map obtained from DI Grim's nark.

The forces on either side are not balanced, due to laziness on my part. I just used whatever figures I had which were painted. The coppers are superior in numbers and training but the Cowie Firm have more shooters!

Without more ado - Turn 1

'Swiss' Tony is tinkling the ivories with Mimsie in the Ball Room.

In the nearby Library, Major Crispin Cadwallader guards Dame Christabelle.

In this photo, at the start of the game, Fowler and Goody are approaching the main gate (bottom right). Luther and 'Fancy' Smith are bottom left. Two guards are in cover behind the fir trees in the front garden. 'Camp' Freddie and Dinsdale are guarding the doors on the east side of the Hall. The two police assault teams (Hawley and Dawkins) facing them are not yet visible as it is dark.

In this view, Jason King can be seen (bottom, centre) hiding behind the brick wall. Grim and Windsor's teams are just left of the other end of the brick wall. 'Snorter' Bough can just be seen under the tree near the steps to the westernmost back door.

The sixth guard, Billy the Fish is hiding behind the bins on the west side of the Hall.

This is Cold Comfort Farm. The police have parked their vehicles here. Vagabond needs to get the Lady Mayoress back to the vehicles and safety.

Vagabond's raid on Snapcase hall is planned to start when the church clock at nearby Steeple Bumpleigh strikes 05:00am.

The clouds temporarily uncover the moon as the church clock at Steeple Bumpleigh starts to chime the hour of 05:00am. An owl hoots somewhere over in the vicinity of Smattering Woods. There is a light drizzle and visibility is still limited.

Bong!

Bong!

Bong!

PC Luther with his silenced sniper rifle opens the batting by shooting at Dinsdale. Unfortunately, he misses.

Dinsdale Piranha, who is on guard at one of the eastern doors hears a sort of weird zipping noise and a disturbance in the air by his right ear. The church clock is on its third bong. Being as thick as a miner’s sandwich, he has no idea what the noise is. He advances in the direction that he thought the sound came from. ‘Camp’ Freddie who is nearby heard nothing. Dinsdale peers into the darkness in all directions but sees nothing.

Jason King moves along the exterior of the brick wall (marked here by a red gem) as the figure would have fallen off the table!).

DI Grim and DC Windsor move their teams forward cautiously, looking for the guard on the west side, marked on their sketch map.

To be continued...