Last Friday I organised to have a game of “Ruthless” – a quick and rules light Western gun fight game.
Drew was staying with me so was a willing “captive”, and Wayne rocked up as well.
You might have guessed from the title but the figures just sat there all forlorn as we drunk copious quantities of some Thai “white spirits” which smelt like a cross between metho and turps, but tasted a lot like gin! The other concoction that Drew brought back was Thai mixed spirits which we were told that if you asked for rum, or whisky this was what you were given.
Is it any wonder that we just talked “ship” all night and never touched a figure.
These pics are what I took the next morning before pacKing them all away.
All that effort and not a die was rolled.
Still a great night was had by all.
Despite the no game “Ruthless is well worth a try. The free download of the rules can be found here.
The Pinkerton Detective agency heard about the extensive reward offered for the capture of the Kelly Gang and sent over to Australia some of their best agents to “assist” the Victorian Government. In the outback town of “Not-so-dry-gultch”. The Pinklertons ran into the State Troopers who did not appreciate their presence. The Pinkertons responded in their normal over handed manner.
The town of Not-so-dry-gultch
The State Troopers
The Pinkertons
With the streets deserted the brief but bloody shoot out began with some lucky long ranged rifle shots taking down one from either side.
The Pinkerton Special Agent (leader) and Bounty Hunter decided to run for the church which was right in the heart of the State Troopers’ defensive position. Fortunately the cover provided by the church allowed them to survive the withering return fire unscathed.
The State Troopers tried to do the same across the other side of the main street and three of them poured into the school building, however they did not count on Agent “Shotgun Harry” who blew one of their heads off with both barrels of his shot gun at short range and disposed of the other two in successive fist fights.
In desperation the Sate Trooper Captain charged into the church to bring down the PInkerton Special Agent who was left dazed and bloodied from his two-fisted attack.
Bounty Hunter Whithers, who was renowned as a “mighty fine shot” (said with a deep southern drawl) with his confederate issue pistol, was left with a clear line of sight.
With two shots in succession and a quick but bloody fist fight the Captain was dazed and sprawled across the overturned church altar.
Not-so-dry-gultch was now in thecomplete control of the Pinkertons who were free to pursue the Kelly Gang. Unfortunately with only three of them left standing this would have to wait for another days gaming while the rest of the posse recovered..
The Dead Man’s Hand rules provided another exciting and enjoyable game that with a little luck could easily have gone the other way.
Pack your six gun and Stetson and get set for some rootin’ tootin’ action from last weeks Axes and Ales club game.
A shot of Dry Gulch overlooking the church and “Woody’s” saloon and ahem……”house of entertainment” with young ladies standing outside.
Marshal, Virgil Earp moving into cover. Few people realise that at the OK Coral it was Virgil who was the town Marshal and who had more military and law enforcement experience than his later more famous younger brother Wyatt.
It was a three sided (but quite one-sided in the end ) game between randomly allocated gangs.
Rod’s or should I say Joachim’s gang from South of the Rio Grande, Jason’s Clanton Gang, and my Earp brothers, ably assisted by a Doc on holiday. The Earp’s were trying to capture (dead or alive) Billy Clanton, the Clanton’s were keen on protecting their turf from the five Joachim’s, who in turn were in town to give the Earp brothers a hard time.
The Earp brothers strategy was to manoeuvre into a better position while the two baddies shoot it out amongst themselves. The plan worked as they couldn’t help but get stuck into each other.
One of the Mexicans is pinned from Clanton rifle fire.
Don’t yah love it when a plan comes together!
The Clanton’s move passed the school house, much to the dismay of the school Mame.
One of the Joachim’s voyeuristic tendencies showed themselves as he peers into one of Woody’s windows.
Joachim shoots Frank MaClaury dead at short range.
Who is promptly killed in revenge by Ike Clanton
Billy Claiborne is pinned by Mexican fire.
My that’s a big pistol you have Joachim!
Billy Claiborne who had just recovered is shot dead by Doc on Holiday.
The pig pen is not a good place to end your dental practice, as the Doc succumbs to lead poisoning.
The Clanton’s clean up two more Joachim’s much to the dismay of the young “ladies” who had lost two potential customers.
As night sets in Dry Gulch the three Earp brothers are alone left standing. One Wounded Joachim and a wounded Billy Clanton are now in jail awaiting trial. The town undertaker has seven more graves to add to boot hill.
They fought the law and the law won!
An hilarious game was enjoyed by all. With Woody’s being the butt (pun intended) of many a ribald remark!
