The Bladé flashes in the woods!

The Bladé flashes in the woods! 

Once again our hero, the Bladé, has found himself on an impossible mission: to intercept the Paypal Nuncio (the so called Pope's Banker)   They are leading a select group of Savoyard Guardsmen.  The TV sub-plot concerning the ongoing siege of Casale is still rumbling away in the background!

I gave the Guardsmen three counters from the combat pool each.  The Blade was unaware of the presence of Diego Vigo Alatriste, killer of Frenchmen (and orcs) with a group of Spanish musket armed troops following the Nuncio, and also bent on kidnapping him.   Vigo takes no less than five counters from the combat pool, but only ever chooses attack.  Bsically he is the greatest killer En Garde has ever seen. 

The Nuncio was traveling in my nobles carriage.  The guards appeared to be French Musketeers, a shady lot of self publicists.  

The carriage has a lift off roof, handy for those furious chase scenes. 

The Bladé with some of his Savoyard mates started mounted.  I've not done mounted combat in En Garde before.  This would be an eye opener.

The initial encounter went well for the Blade. one of the Guard fired his pistols into the papal horse, killing one of them.  Some fast and furious attacks vs defence then saw two more of the papal bodyguard go down.   

 At this point Vigo appeared attacking one of the Savoyard Guard.  two sixes two fives, four hits from five dice.  The poor guardsmen was filled with holes in short order.  

  

 The Blade, who has had his horse killed under him, was faced with Vigo.  With a Guardsman beside him he went for a sensible two in defence two attack.  Not good enough by half.  Vigo skewered the Guardsman and then the Blade.  The Flashing Blade however gets an escape roll, which he successfully passed.  Dropping his sword he "legged it."

 The last of the Savoyard Guardsmen was caught by the papal cavalry.  Killing one he was finished by the second.  

I really like the attack defence selections in En Garde. 

The Blade and Lurkio his man servant were the last Frenchmen, and fled the table which was now filled with rampaging Spaniards.  

Great game.  Sooner or later the Blade will win one of these!