Daimyo of the South Tournament - da Gobbo's View

Hi all

better late than never, here's a quick write up following Damon and my trip to Portsmouth to attend "the Daimyo of the South" Bushido Tournament, run by Ben "Ret-Fleafa" Calvert-Lee.  

Firstly my apologies for the lack of narrative reports of my games this time around, that is entirely a time issue and not a reflection of the day, i'm right in the middle of writing many, many essays which have to take priority.  It's a shame as I love writing up the batreps as short stories and they always seem to be well received. 

Secondly, I want to thank Ben for putting on an absolutely fabulous tournament which was a great deal of fun. Onto the day then....

Well, Damon and I traveled up the night before as Portsmouth is 2 and half hours from Ramsgate, we arranged to stay at my daughter's place and then travel onto the tourney the following morning.  to say we were excited might be an understatement.....

caption this....

Ahem... anyway, I was bringing my three boards and loads of terrain to help Ben so when we got to Gobbo Jr's we set up a practice game between Damon's Savage Wave and my Silvermoon Trade Syndicate.  The tournament games are all 42 rice and you must use the same list for all games unless using the "Ordered for Battle" theme which gives you a sideboard of 15 rice to sub in a model to tailor the list.  Some people opted for these as did Damon and I, not that I used any subs...

my Silvermoons

from L-R Dafikaia, (behind) Kami of the Burning Rage, Wasupu, (behind) Senpu, Manu, (behind) Zo, Tsubaki, Pit Dog

So this is my list, the numbers after is the rice cost:-

Manu 9
+ Maniki-Neko +1
Daifukaia 10
Kami of the Burning Rage 4
Tsubaki 7
Wasupu 6
Pit Dog 3
Event: Bought Loyalty 1
Event: Dark Secrets 1

Theme: Ordered for Battle
Old Zo 6
+ Daikoken’s Coin String +1
+ Drunk on Sake +1
Senpu 6
+ Disguised +1

Damon took this Bad Boy Band

L to R - Jun/Slave, Kemono & Ushi (2 headed oni), Tra Peng, Rashka, Okina & Oto

Kemono & Ushi 15
+ Knowledge of the Consumed +2
Rashka 14
Tra-Peng 5
Okina & Oto 5
Event: Unearthly Rage 1

Theme: Ordered for Battle
Jun 4
Slave 3
Event: Unearthly Rage 1
Event: Unearthly Rage 1
Event: Balance 1
Event: Hotai’s Blessing 1
Event: Cloud of Bats 1
Event: Spirit Catcher Wid Chime 1
Terrain: Hogo-sha Tree 1

In the practice game, the STS took the win and I was in good spirits for the following day.

The venue was great, the British Legion club was big and airy with a bar, should you need consoling.....  The boards were fab and enhanced by lovely scenery.

So how did we get on? Well last time I rocked up a respectable fourth place but alas that slipped to a joint ninth place at this tournament, I lost two, drew one and won one. Damon won the Mr Stu's tournament with his ninjas, this time he propped the table with a solid four losses.  This is how it unfolded.

The first round was the Idols scenario - three statues line up in the middle of the board, VPs are awarded for the most "friendly" Idols in scoring turns 2,4 and 6. To turn an Idol to a friendly facing a player needs to interact with the statue using a simple action.  I was facing another Silvermoon faction, something I've not done in the past and what a shooty list it was too with no less than 3 xbows, to my one!  Ed was the player and a thoroughly nice fellow but STS are his faction and experience really did out - I lost the game 0-3! darn the first game and my first loss....

Ed's list looked like this.

Ed Kichenside – Silvermoon Trade Syndicate

Tsubaki 7
Saki 7
Wasupu 6
+ Hotai’s Coin +1
2* Kyoaku-Han Crossbowman 10 (2*5)
2* Kyoaku-Han 8 (2*4)
Theme: Jade Rose Gumi
Event: Dark Secrets 1 (2-1)
2* Event: Bought Loyalty 2 (2*1)

Manu scanned the empty dockside, keen eyes picking out the approach of the rival gang that had been threatening his Oyabun's business interests. A nod to Wasupu sent the keen eyed archer rushing for a vantage point to unload his precious repeating crossbow into the shatei that slinked toward them.  Floating eerily behind him, the fiery kami summoned by the mad monk - Dafukaia trailed Wasupu ready to ignite the bolts to inflict more damage on their foes.  To his right, the rose Tsubaki, disguised as a wandering Geisha and accompanied by her faithful hound, sauntered up the dirt road ready to pounce on her unsuspecting enemies.  Clenching his massive fists, Manu walked purposefully along the pier, the wooden planks groaning under his impressive bulk, he would teach these thugs a lesson in defiance....

man makes plans, the gods laugh! the calm before the storm!

my STS surge forward to threaten two idols, sadly they only threatened...

Manu surrounded by his rivals, throwing them left and right 

 Ed rocked up in second place for the tournament so no shame for my valiant efforts.

More and more rival fighters flooded the area, throwing themselves at Manu.  The mighty Buto swung a giant fist batting away a Kyoako-han armed with twin blades, reaching out with his other meaty hand he grasped the collar of another's kimono and flinging him several feet away with a contemptuous flick of the wrist.  But no matter how hard he fought there were more coming.  His brothers and sisters had been scattered by the ferocity of the enemies assault, cut down by the hail of crossbow bolts.  It was time to cut his losses and report this setback to Harukichi-san, that thought chilled the immense warrior more than the events of the day...

Second game was against another STS faction - what!! but this one was completely different and was based largely around the animals that they are able to field.  Led by Graham, this list was a delight to play against and enormous fun.  The scenario was Ryodo - an area control game with three 4" control zones - a friendly, neutral and enemy zone. By positioning models in any of these zones scenario points are generated and the most SPs in scoring turns win the VP.

Graham Mould – Silvermoon Trade Syndicate

Manu 9
+ Hotei’s Coin +1
2* Pit Dogs 6 (2*3)
2* Kyoaku-Han 8 (2*4)
Sukuratchi 5
Hakushi 7
Wakasu Gorilla 6
Theme: Iron Fist Gumi

Dafukaia "the Mad Monk" as he was known in underworld circles, focused his Ki, as taught by his old mentors at the Temple before he was expelled.  Pure spirit energy coalesced around his fists before igniting into the familiar and comforting flames that fueled the anger dwelling deep in his heart. The tea-house belonging to the "Dragon-flame" gang had long since emptied following the dramatic entrance of his brethren.  Stung by their defeat at the dockside and reprimanded by their Oyabun, Dafukaia and Manu had slunk off with the rest of the gang to drink away their sorrows. Upon spotting the tea-house that plan had changed to wanting to fight their blues away.  With an evil grin that should have sent any sane man scurrying for cover, the Mad Monk let the flames cover his entire body and strode across the wooden floor, leaving scorched footprints in his wake....

my gang's view across the board - What?!? Manu vs Manu

the centre control are was fiercely contested, finally Dafukaia detonated using his "Inferno" ki feat!!

This game went much more to plan and due to not finishing all six turns I managed a very respectable 1-1 draw.

Dafukaia concentrated on the rage that was building inside him, Ki fueled the flames that lived permanently within his very soul and he fed more of the energy into that fire until he could barely contain it.  The fight with the Dragon-flame gang had purged the stain on his brethren's honour and had restored some balance to the band, now it was time to leave a lingering reminder of his Obayun's power.  With a sigh of relief he released the pent up energy that roiled in his body, sending the flames in a wide circle that eagerly caught the ancient wooden floors and furniture in a hellish inferno. Strolling casually toward the door, the disgraced ex-monk glanced over at the devastation he had just caused, yes that aught to do it...

It was then time to break so I sauntered over to the display board to marvel at the quality of the paint jobs on some spectacular miniatures.

Tom Wilson's Ito Clan

Craig Collie's Tengu Descension

Simon Crafter's Prefecture of Ryu

James Goddard's worthy winner of the best painted warband Tengu Descension

The tournament winning warband by Paul Looker 

Graham Mould's STS

Third game was against Simon's Prefecture of Ryu, at last a game where I would be the only STS! Simon's beautifully painted faction consisted of only female characters and was a refreshing change from the Ashigaru heavy Prefecture lists I've seen.  With some very heavy hitters in the list it would be interesting.  The scenario was Reikan - a model from your faction is designated the VIM (very important model) and the VPs are tied up in the elimination of that model.  Simon chose Lady Oka, a defensive melee specialist and I went with Tsubaki figuring her high speed and dodge skills could keep her out of trouble.

Simon Crafter – Prefecture of Ryu

Lady Oka 10
Bikou 9
Grey Pilgrim 9
Matsu Takashi, The Thunder 8
Takashi House Guard 5
Event: Deflection 1

Theme: Ordered for Battle
Daisuke 4
Bachiko 7
+ Arashi’s Fan +1
Event: Hotei’s Blessing 1
Event: Amaterasu’s Riddle 2

Tsubaki ran her hands down her gown, she felt oddly exposed without her geisha disguise.  Fingering the small ledger she carried in her pouch, she swept the crossroad with her eyes again.  It was imperative that she deliver the accountant's book to Harukichi before the hated Takashi bitch Lady Oka found it.  She was comforted by the huge presence of Manu, hovering protectively nearby and Wasupu with his 'bow providing over-watch, the rest of the gang scouted ahead looking out for the authorities.

Tsubaki (bottom centre) hangs back as her "family" screen her.  Simon's VIM is centre top, bodyguarded by the Grey Pilgrim

skulking by the pond!

This was a cracking game with quite a few things going right for me and wrong for Simon.  My tactics were sound and Tsubaki avoided all contact whereas I was able to nullify Simon's key players and eventually trapping Lady Oka and literally with the last throw of the dice killing her giving me all three VPs for a 3-0 win!

With a last burst of speed, Tsubaki reached the safety of the alleyway, melting into the shadows.  The Takashi's had sprung an ambush and tried to capture the accounts ledger. It was only thanks to her brothers that she managed to escape the noose closing around them.  A scream in the background, followed by the insane cackle of the "mad monk" told the former Rose the fate of the Lady Oka. With the crackle of flames and whimpering sobs of pain chasing her, Tsubaki put her head down and jogged into the welcoming shadows of the alley....

Game four was arguably my favourite of the whole tournament.  Bolstered by my last two results, a convincing win could see me pushing for, if not for places then at least for respectable mid table comfort.  I was facing Luke's Tengu Descension, I'd lost to Luke in Mr Stu's tourney and was determined not to let it happen again......ah......

The last game was Botoku, a combination of influencing statues and a single area of control in the centre of the battleboard.  The scoring turns were 4,5 and 6 with SPs gathering throughout the game.

Luke Ashworth – Tengu Descension

Kanut 10
Sanjakubo 8
Tarobo 7
Scout of the Blue Gale 6
Maniitok 6
Hill Tribe Warrior 5
Theme: Shepherds of the White Mesa
Kami of the Strong West Wind FREE

Wasupu checked the bulky ammunition box fit snugly into the stock of his prized repeater. Given to him personally by his Oyabun the powerful weapon had served the keen eyed archer well over the last few days in particular, sweeping away the gang's many enemies.  Now he would put it to use once more to drive off the hated, thrice damned Tengu.  Behind him the dock workers toiled to get the last of the contraband stowed onto the boats for transport to Jima city. Wasupu didn't know what was in the crates, nor did he care! his job was to protect Harikichi's business interests and keep the bird-men away from the cargo. Still, he wondered they did seem to want whatever was in those boxes really badly.  Manu and the others dashed toward the bridge that provided the only access to the docks, forgetting in his haste the wings of the Tengu.  Hefting his'bow he positioned himself behind a nearby statue and sighted down the length of the weapon at an armoured Tengu Bushi - time for a turkey hunt!

The STS storn across the docks to meet the bird men!

another fiercely contested area of control!

Despite a great start and acquiring the most SPs in 1,2 and 3 some poor dice throwing killed off my advantage and Luke was able to turn the game on it's head for a rather flattering 3-0 win for him. Even with the score the game could have gone either way and that's the beauty of Bushido.

Scrambling backward as he fumbled in his pouch for more precious bolts, Wasupu could only watch as the evil looking crow sorcerer advanced on him with lightning gathering around it's fists.  He'd seen the devastation those bolts had caused, the smoking body of Tsubaki not far from him stood testament to their power!  Determined not to end up like that he gathered his crossbow like a club and charged the Tengu priest, much to it's surprise.  With a sickening thump, Wasupu drove the solid stock of the weapon into the creature's head, shattering it's beak and dropping the nasty bird to the floor in a heap.  With a cry of triumph he lifted the bloodied 'bow above his head, roaring his defiance to the Kami!  His face flushed with the adrenaline coursing through his body, turned swiftly to a look of complete surprise, the roar of defiance became a grunt of pain as first one, then another black fletched arrow sprouted from his chest.  His eyes were drawn to the shadows surrounding a nearby piling as a cloaked Tengu lifted his bow again.........

And that was the end of the day, with all of the points calculated I came in at 9th out of 12 players, not ideal at all but an excellent day.  I'll let Damon describe his games and day for you in another post, so it just leaves me once again thanking Ben for organising the day and the lads for their great friendly play in the true spirit of the game!



bring on Mr Stu's spring tournament in May.

hope you enjoy
dGG