Ronin game: Capture

Another Ronin game against Frances - this time, the Capture scenario.  My Peasants were trying to reach Lady Ishida Mitsu's sister, Sakura, before the dastardly Yakuza 'Black Hand' gang could kidnap her.  Sakura was placed in the centre of the board, & the deployment roll resulted in setup on opposite edges.

We scaled-up to medium-size (100pts-a-side) forces this time.  I deployed Lady Ishida - 'Akai Mibōjin' ('the Red Widow') - On the track leading through the village on the right flank, with her bodyguard beside her.  My peasants were stretched out behind the smaller house, & in the field behind it, with the warrior monk Bokusui leading the left flank.  Opposing them, Frances set-up her lieutenant on her left flank, backed-up by a pair of ruffians with clubs, & a thug with a matchlock. On Frances's right flank, she placed her five thugs with katanas.

The Yakuza & Peasants rushed forwards to get near Sakura.  As in our first game, Bokusui used his Acrobatic attribute to move fast through the crop field, but the advancing Yakuza thugs were still able to cut off his charge as they dashed past the barn & along the track towards the girl.  Meanwhile Lady Ishida, her bodyguard, & a handful of peasants advanced to meet the Yakuza lieutenant & his ruffians.

Bokusui led the peasants in a charge against the thugs as they tried to reach Sakura, while Lady Ishida & her bodyguard fought the Yakuza lieutenant near the large house.  The gunman approached the duel between the faction leaders, & risked a shot at Lady Ishida... however, the matchlock ball instead struck & killed his own lieutenant, who had already been Grievously Wounded!

With her opponent unexpectedly gunned-down in error, Lady Ishida rushed the matchlock-wielder, who surprising managed to fend-off her katana for the remaining few turns

The fighting around Sakura at the track junction was bitter.  The katana-armed Yakuza thugs soon cut-down Bokusui & many of the peasants, & by the final turn, they succeeded in capturing Sakura. 

Another victory for Frances, only her second ever miniatures game!

Final score
Yakuza:  10 Victory Points
Peasants:  5.5 Victory Points