Fistful of Lead - Santa Rosa Bank Robbery

It was daybreak in the sleepy little town of Santa Rosa. The town was slowly transforming from a collection of small adobe huts and hovels to more permanant structures as Santa Rosa looked to the future. There was a sense of peace as Sheriff McNaughton and his deputies began their morning rounds. As the deputies greeted a few of the locals and proprieters there were a few anxious whispers of the notorious Sneaky Pete and his gang.

Sneaky Pete and his gang of thugs had indeed arrived in the town late in the night. They were staying at the bar and bunkhouse at the east end of town. The new bank at the west end of town was a target for Sneaky Pete's lustful greed. As daylight broke over the town, he sent his men out on both sides of the town to get into position to assault the bank and rob its vault.

Because of the rumors around the town, the deputies had a heightened awareness and noticed the strangers skulking down the back alleys of Santa Rosa. A deputy bellowed a challenge as Sneaky Pete tried to get behind him. Shots would soon ring out breaking the stillness and quiet of early morning.

As the shots rang out, the sheriff was shot right through his badge and died immediately. Revenge was swift as the cowering thug was shot through the head by a deputy.

A blood alley developed, as usual, close to the jail house.

With all the distraction going on, Sneaky Pete does what he does best and stealthily moves to the back of the bank building. Maybe that back door will not be guarded.

As the remaining deputies and thugs moved to action in the bank, one deputy eliminates a thug while suffering a wound.

In the final moments Sneaky Pete and a deputy have a point blank gun duel through the vaults outer door. Although Sneaky Pete was wounded twice, his final shot killed the deputy in the vault and he was able to escape with the loot.

John and I played this scenario twice yesterday. He played Sneaky Pete in the first game, I played him in the second. Both games were won by the bad guys. For the rumors we used an odd/even die roll on whether the sheriff's men were aware that Pete's gang was in town. Also we assumed that the deputies struggled to lock the vault doors because of the unfamiliar keys. A roll of 5 or better locked the door. In the image above, the deputy missed the locking roll and had to face Sneaky Pete with the door ajar.

I am slowly replacing my adobe buildings that I made years ago with models from 4Ground. The bank model is highly detailed and took me several days work to finish. I do like the results.

Happy gaming!

Fistful of Lead - The Looting of Santa Rosa

Taking a break from Longstreet, I put on a game of Fistful of Lead with my son John. The scenario was simple, a payroll had been hidden somewhere in town. Two gangs were coming in to find it and steal it. When a character entered a building a poker chip was drawn from a bag. Blue meant nothing was found, red was a surprise gunshot at the intruder and a white chip meant the treasure was discovered. Dawn breaks on the sleepy town of Santa Rosa.

John played Amarillo Shamrock and his gang of cowpokes. They started on the south road just outside of town. Amarillo's job was to find the treasure and exit on the north or west roads. Doing some harm to Nigel and his nefarious crew would be a bonus.

I played Nigel Cumberbund and his European mercenaries. My gang started on the north road just outside of town. Nigel's task was to find the treasure, neutralize Amarillo and his crooks, then exit on the south or east roads.

As soon as the gangs got within range of each other, gun-fire broke out. As in every game of FFoL ever played a blood alley began to develop.

One particular corner was especially busy. Lead was flying non-stop and members of each gang were pinned, wounded or DRT. (an homage to gentleman Bill McHarg - he coined "Dead Right There" or DRT many years ago.)

Most of the buildings have now been explored, the treasure must be in one of the last two. Both gangs started heading for the final confrontation and a chance for the loot.

One of Nigel's gang hid behind a barrel in a dark alley. When he got the chance he dropped Amarillo like a hot rock. Some say the shot was cowardly, others applauded the stealth.

John and I played this scenario three times that day. It was a ton of fun. This AAR was about the third and final game because it was the closest action and result. FFoL is my favorite skirmish game bar none. It plays clean and fast and John knew the rules in about two turns. We used the Horse and Musket card deck because of the additional special cards. However we stayed with the old hand to hand combat system. I had forgotten how brutal H2H was in the original rules. Next time we play the newer H2H combat system will be in effect.

John really enjoys post apocalyptic games, so Galactic Heros will be in our future plans. I realized that I have several new painting and scenery projects to do in order to get ready. I am looking forward to it! Thanks to Wiley Games for many hours of enjoyable and happy gaming.

A Simple Drink

Cletus sat at his usual table slamming whiskey shots. His complexion was flushed red across his cheeks and bulbous nose, framing deep set rheumy pig eyes. His normal surly demeanor was getting more foul by the minute; he was spoiling for a fight. The tables nearest him were empty of patrons, they had seen this way too many times.

A horse and rider slowly emerged from a billowing dust cloud at the end of town. They were absolutely covered in thick layers of dust. The horse, rider, apparel and tack were all the same dingy tannish shade of brown. The cowboy dismounted at front of the saloon. Clouds of dust kept coming off the man as he continued to ineffectually swat himself. Making sure that his horse could reach the water trough, Frank gratefully stepped into the saloon.

"Hey barkeep! I'll take a whiskey!" said Frank as he moved slowly and stiffly toward the bar. Frank plunked a dust-covered coin on the bar and eagerly started to lift the drink to his overly parched lips. Abruptly, something crashed into his shoulder, spilling his highly prized drink. Frank shook his head in disgust to the accompaniment of many more motes. Frank's eyes angrily focused on the ugly face of Cletus; intense mutual hatred blossomed immediately.

"Hell, we don't serve your kind in here you filthy shit for brains rag bag." glared Cletus.
Frank turned to face Cletus, noticing the low-slung tied down holster. "Your mother must have been some sow, pig eyes!"

Cletus made a fast move toward his gun. He was not prepared for the bullet that found its mark squarely between his eyes. Watching Cletus fall, Frank smoothly holstered his weapon, the only thing he owned that wasn't covered in dust.

"I'll have that drink now barkeep."