Many years ago I bought the 20th anniversary scenario pack for the miniatures rules The Sword and the Flame by Larry Brom. Over the years since I've managed to get a couple of these on the table, once for use with classic TS&TF, and once as an abortive play test for Battles For Empire (2e). There are 24 scenarios in the original pack, spread over a number of different theatres, including the Zulu Wars and expeditions on the Dark Continent.
This time around I am converting his Sword in Africa scenario, The Village, which is one of four equatorial Africa adventures in the original portfolio, for use with Dan Mersey's The Men Who Would Be Kings. We have used these rules once before for Sihayo's Kraal.
The picture shows the lay-out, with a village in the NW corner and a fordable river which also includes a log bridge. There are several belts of thick jungle. The village also sports a defendable palisade. I've set the table up as an approximately 5x5 feet field, which provides 25 square feet of area rather than the 24 square feet from a 6x4 table.
Terrain
The jungle areas and the stream all count as Difficult Terrain. Jungle counts as soft cover but troops in the jungle can only shoot or be shot at if within 4 inches of the edge of the jungle. The stream becomes Impassable if it starts raining, for the rest of the game. The palisade around the village counts as an Obstacle and hard cover. The log bridge can only be crossed in single file. It cannot be moved or burned or destroyed in any way by the tribe.
Weather
At the start of every turn, roll a d10. On a 1 a torrential tropical downpour commences. Visibility is immediately reduced to 8 inches for all weapons. The river becomes unfordable. Players continue to roll a d10 at the start of every turn. A further 1 means the rain has stopped, visibility improves, but the river remains unfordable.
Objectives
The imperial player must occupy the village in such a way that there are no local forces in either the village or within 10 inches of the village at the start of his turn. The African player must prevent him from doing so.
The Forces
The forces are equal 24 point forces. I've added the following below, which is the order of battle I intend to use, plus the leaders and their personalities as generated by the rules.
British
x1 Section of Royal Marines (Regular Infantry, 6pts) - three cheers for Her Majesty!
x1 Section European Mercenaries (Irregular Infantry, with Fieldcraft, 5pts)
x1 Gatling Gun (Well-drilled, 6pts)
x1 Section of Company Askaris with modern rifles (Irregular Infantry, 4pts)
x1 Section Allied Ashanti Tribesmen (Tribal Infantry, 3pts)
Africans
x1 Unit Elite Warriors (Tribal Infantry, Elite, Fierce, 6pts)
x1 Unit of Archers (Irregular Infantry, Fieldcraft, 5pts)
x1 Unit of Muskets (Irregular Infantry, Antiquated Weapons, 3pts)
x3 Units of Warriors (Tribal Infantry, 9pts - one unit may be upgraded to Fierce for 1 point)
Background
1876: Lieutenant Aubrey James has survived his first armed encounter on the Gold Coast, as an adviser to the West Africa Trading Company. He routed the warband of marauding bandit chief Tai Wengi. Luckily Wengi's troops were not up for a stand up fight.
Now news filters back to Accra that Wengi has taken refuge with his uncle, Kaka Mkubwa, who has a stronghold in the interior. The village sits on disputed territory between that claimed by the Company and the Dagomban kingdom to the north. Technically it still pays tribute to the king of Dagomba, but Mkubwa is known to be in arrears and has fallen out of favour with his protectors at the capital in Yendi.
Also known to be in residence with Mkubwa is the rogue French big game hunter, mercenary, adventurer, and all round rascal Bruno Darmanin, a deserter from the French Foreign Legion. He is in residence at the moment, doing some idle elephant hunting and gold prospecting, but ready for a spot of the rough stuff if the British approach.
Lt James has been handed his orders: push on to Mkubwa's village at Kivuko and secure it as the location of a future Company trading post on the border of the Dagomban kingdom...the directors thoughtfully have provided him with a Royal Navy Gatling gun and a section of Marines to assist him with his objectives.
Personalities
Not every unit has a named leader. Both sides have THREE named leaders who can be attached to units. Leader traits are detailed on page 35 of the rules. James Aubrey is rated a Jolly Good Chap as he is currently the hero of our tale. Tai Wengi is rated a Bag Of Nerves following his performance in the last encounter.
Other leaders are as follows: for the British, it is 'Rob' Roy Urquhart (Terrible Planner) and Venlo Siegfried (Hero of the Empire); for the Africans Kaka Mkubwa (Weakling) and Bruno Darmanin (Keen Shot).
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