A Scenario for Noggin the Nog
by Paul Grace
Ahmed el Ahmed is once more in control of the Land of Silver Sand. Noggin learns that King Rashid is being held prisoner at The Oasis of Baksheesh.
Noggin plans a daring rescue operation: an airborne assault to be led by Thor Nogson, the object being to snatch Rashid and get him back to rally his people and lead the revolt...
Nogson's Special Airboat Squadron
|
1 Hero |
4AP |
Thor Nogson (General) |
|
3 Airboats |
9AP |
See special rules |
|
1 Flyer |
2AP |
Graculus (great green bird) |
|
2 Shooters |
4AP |
Saxon or Viking archers |
|
3 Spear |
6AP |
Saxon or Viking |
|
1 Blade |
2AP |
Saxon or Viking |
Total: 27AP
Airboat Special Rules
Each Airboat can carry up to 3 elements (plus Rashid).
Airboats must be crewed by at least one element in order to function (Rashid's element will count as crew).
Non crewed Airboats cannot move. If attacked: Any 'recoil' results against it will destroy the airboat. Any 'destroy' results against the attacker will be reduced to 'recoil'.
Unloading Troops: Airboats can only land on water.
To disembark crew and passengers: An Airboat must either start or end its movement on a lakeside, riverbank or coast. It costs 1 PIP per element to board or disembark (in addition to any other movement costs). Disembarked elements are placed adjacent to each other with at least one element in contact with the airboat. If disembarkation takes place at the start of the turn, both airboat and disembarked may then make a normal move. If it takes place after the airboat has moved, then the elements may make no further movement.
Boarding: basically the reverse of embarkation i.e. a ground element or group can move to make contact with airboat and embark one element per spare PIP. If the elements were in contact at the start, they may pay their pips to embark and then spend a further 2 PIP for the airboat to move away.
Hot Landing Zones: Elements may still be unloaded or loaded aboard an airboat even if it is in base contact with an enemy element, but it costs 2 PIP per element to board or disembark and the airboat suffers -1 combat modification that turn.
The crew or passengers on board an airboat make no effect on combat resolution. Exception: An airboat carrying the general is classed as the general element whilst he is aboard. Passengers and crew do not require any movement PIP whilst aboard.
If an airboat is destroyed: all passengers and crew are also lost. Exception: see rules regarding King Rashid.
Elements on board an airboat are kept off the table. Either make a written note of the location of each element (Each airboat should be named or numbered and easily identified) or place them on a holding tray or card representing the airboat.
Although Graculus was carried aboard Olaf's original flying machine, in these rules, to avoid complication, flyers are considered to be unable to join up with Airboats as passengers or crew. Readers might wish to amend this in order to readjust the balance of play.
Only friendly elements may board airboats.
The Opposition
|
1 Hero |
4AP |
Nogbad the Bad (general) |
|
1 Magician |
4AP |
Seated on a large flying carpet. |
|
4 Flyers |
8AP |
Arabs on small flying carpets. |
|
2 Shooter |
4AP |
Arab bowman or slinger. |
|
2 Riders |
4AP |
Camel riders or Bedouin Horsemen |
|
1 Horde |
1AP |
Assorted Arabs. |
|
1 Lurker |
1AP |
Nile crocodile (water Lurker). |
|
1 Stronghold |
---- |
Tower (minaret) or Arab house. |
Total: 26AP
Notes: The magician is treated as a 'foot' element despite the carpet.
This is Rashid's prison. He can only be released when Nogson's forces capture the stronghold. Remember that aerial units alone cannot capture a stronghold. Ignore the HOTT rule regarding automatic victory for a side that captures a stronghold.
The young King is held captive in the stronghold: once it has been captured, Rashid is free: He can then be placed on the table adjacent to the stronghold. Rashid and his retinue are classed as a sneaker element and become part of Thor Nogson's command.
If Rashid's element is attacked and destroyed then the King is dead: Nogbad can claim a victory (the boy is out of the way and his death can be blamed on the Nogs). If Rashid is aboard a destroyed airboat then place his element on the spot occupied by the airboat. The Nog player cannot move him until another Nog element comes into contact with him or he is attacked. (Rashid is assumed to be dazed and in shock).
Rashid's element can only leave the table via the Western edge.
Lay out the table as follows:
Lake: north east quadrant.
Bad going (hills with palm trees): one in north-west quadrant.
Bad going (hills with palm trees): one in south-west quadrant.
Nogbad sets up first with the following restrictions
(This is a surprise attack: Nogbad's forces are dispersed, patrolling the likely avenues of a land assault.)
Nogson assigns his 7 ground elements to the airboats (each can carry up to 3 elements). These are written down, and not disclosed until the airboat unloads. Nogson must declare his presence on an airboat in order to claim combat modifiers for a General element.
Nogson moves first, entering anywhere along the West edge of the table.
Complete Nog victory: Rashid is airlifted across Western edge of table.
Or Nogbad's forces flee and Nogson still has at least one airboat.
Marginal Nog Victory: Rashid crosses Western table edge on foot (The King is still in danger).
Or Nogbad's forces flee but Nogson has no airboats.
Nog Defeat: Thor Nogson's force abandon the mission if they loose 14 AP or more and Rashid is still in captivity.
Nog Defeat: If Rashid is killed in combat (i.e. his element is destroyed).
Nogbad's forces will flee if they loose 13 AP or more and have sustained more losses than Nogson.
Should Nogbad hold back any attack until he has concentrated his forces, or should he try to break-up the formation of airboats as soon as possible in an attempt to regain the initiative?
Should Nogson concentrate on landing his troops (land elements are essential to capture the stronghold and release Rashid), or should he employ the powerful airboats to destroy any isolated enemy elements before they can regroup?
With aerial groups requiring 2PIPs for movement, this is a game where the luck factor plays a stronger role than usual. Try to concentrate your forces and keep the enemy divided.
To increase the odds in favour of Nogbad: allow his forces to set up freely.