Welcome back.  More killing awaits.

Turn 3

The majority of the action is on the left flank of the Westerners.  The Westerners remained dominant, and wasted no time in charging one of the two Doppelsoldners into Isha-Akshay.  He does some damage, but Isha-Akshay delivers a very telling blow in return and wounds him.  The unwounded Retarius charges the other Doppelsoldner to prevent it from getting into Isah-Akshay and nearly kills it.  Still, there’s nothing to stop Francisco Vargas from walking into combat with Isha-Akshay.  Supported by a Doppelsolder, Vargas takes Isha-Akshay down to four wounds – but Trevor groans, as he knows he can’t finish him off this round, and if the Lost can wrestle Dominance away, he will issue his Skin Change order and heal back up fully.

In the center, Anna Bogna Pavlova and one of the Arquebusier fight one of the Squamata Warriors.  The Squamata can’t handle the combination of Pavlova’s stun attacks and the Arquebusier’s sword, and succumbs to its wounds – however the Arquebusier dies with it.  The center is looking good for the Westerners, but it’s an isolated area.

On the Westerners right flank, the Squamata Nomad kills the Arquebusier that opposed him, and now has two pieces of treasure to haul back.  Robert is doubtful it can manage to drag back one, let alone both, and suddenly wishes he had sent another model to help out on this side.

Robert’s Notes:  Grabbed Dominance, finally!  And it couldn’t come at a better time – I desperately need to have Isha-Akshay activate first.  I don’t think he can survive another round of 2-on-1 punishment sitting on 4 life.  Besides that, I’m pleased with the way things are going – I’ve already got two treasures all but guaranteed, and one more is largely in the bag with the Squamata Nomad, although he might not make it back to my deployment zone in time.  I’m less thrilled with the fact that the battle in the center is going for the Westerners, but in the end my losses don’t matter – just the treasure.  If I can keep the mission in mind I’ll nab the victory.

Trevor’s Notes:  Well, mixed results.  It hasn’t escaped my notice that the Lost have just about dragged two treasures back to their deployment zone and I have…none.  I’ve managed to really thin the numbers of the Lost but it hasn’t helped me to complete the mission.  But there are still three turns to go, and I’ve got at least one treasure firmly in my sights, and three more possible.  He who laughs last laughs best, right?

Turn 4

As expected, Isha-Akshay activates first and burns two permanent command to issue himself the Skin Change order.  Fully healed, he attacks the wounded Doppelsoldner and kills him.  The other Doppelsoldner attacks the Retarius facing him, but despite the Retarius suffering from his weapon becoming Cumbersome in the 2nd round of combat, he rolls remarkably well and kills the Doppelsoldner.  This is exceedingly bad for Francisco Vargas, who is wounded, facing an almost-fully healthy Isha-Akshay and a wounded Retarius all by himself.  He attacks Isha-Akshay and does some damage, but not enough, and is himself reduced to 2 life.

In the center, Anna Bogna Pavlova and Aiden Saint James dispatch the second Retarius, the last Lost holding up the center.  There are two treasure counters waiting for them!

The last Arquebusier drags a treasure token back toward the Westerners’s table edge, clinging to life with one hit remaining.

The three Lost holding treasure drag them back towards their table edge as the turn ends…

Trevor’s Notes:  Argh.  Argh.  Argh.  Things are falling apart on me.   If this was a turn or two sooner, I think I’d be okay – well, at least able to grab a tie.  As it is I’m hoping to keep it a Minor Victory for the Lost and not embarrass myself much.

Robert’s Notes:  I think this was probably the most important turn of the game. If I had lost Isha-Akshay I don’t think I could have held out; instead, barring some really wild dice next turn, I will kill Francisco Vargas and take the game.

Turn 5

The Lost remain Dominant.  Isha-Akshay activates and kills Fransico Vargas.  Everywhere else on the board, models near treasure tokens pounce on them and begin dragging them back, but it time is short.

Trevor’s Notes:  Yes, I saw that coming.  Vargas is a good leader but he’s not the combat powerhouse that Isha-Akshay is.  I don’t have the opportunity to get the treasure back to my table edge but I’m playing for the moral victory.

Robert’s Notes:  I feel a little guilty, but it passes.  My blood is up; it’s time to finish it!

Turn 6

Isha-Akshay charges both Aiden Saint James and Anna Bogna Pavlova.   He kills Aiden Saint James but is wounded in the process.  Anna Bogna Pavlova brings her hammer down upon his head…but not before he manages to roll an amazing 5 hits on her (!) and takes her with him.

The final moves show that the Lost have captured two treasure tokens to zero from the Westerners.  A Minor Victory to the Lost!

Trevor’s Wrap-up:  An ignominious end.  I think Robert was right – Turn 4 was really the pivot point.  Prior to that my firepower was really telling, but it wasn’t sustainable – I had already burned through a lot of command for the Reload! order, and, the Lost were pouncing on the treasure tokens and forced me to get stuck in.  Still I did maul the Lost – sure, not as bad as they mauled me, but I made Robert work for it.  That’s sort of a victory, right?  I think if I did it all over again I’d consider dropping two of the Arquebusiers and instead take Sister Eloise, provided that I don’t get her killed like I got the Fencer killed.  Oh well.  Next time I shall have my revenge!

Robert’s Wrap-up:  A very bloody match.  In the end I had four models – two of which had run back to my table edge with treasure – versus one Arquebusier with one life remaining.  I hope that treasure was worth the cost!  The battle cleaved pretty closely to my plans – as predicted the ranged punishment was painful but I managed to weather it.  Once I got to the treasure, my speed advantage was telling – it meant that if the Westerners wanted to contest the mission, they really had to get stuck in and stop shooting me.  And once they did, my superior combat scores really let me pound them.  It helped that my dice turned really hot – 4 and 5 hits against the Doppelsoldners is nothing to sneeze at – but in the end I think my pre-planning really carried the game for me.

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