Dōmyōji: Tombs of Blood

As hinted at in the previous post, Monday saw the coming together of four of Postie's Rejects to take up the challenge of the 1615 Battle of Domyoji (or Battle Among the Tombs).  Since Richard commanded the Tokugawa in our first game (see Battle of the Tombs), he chose to command one of the Osaka Sonae.  Lee quickly joined him as an Osaka general.  Ray and Dan were left in command of the Tokugawa Army.

Initial army dispositions

With the army commanders set and the sides drawn up, let's step right into battle.  This time, we tell the battle in Haiku!

The battle begins with an archery duel near Emperor Ingyo's Tomb.  Neither body of archers was able to produce any noticeable effect on the enemy.  While the longbowmen were engaged in volleys, Katsushige leads his Tokugawa Sonae forward.  Katsushige and Susukida stare down one another as they prepare for the fight they know is coming over Emperor Ingyo's Tomb.

Archery duel near Emperor Ingyo's Tomb.

Katsushige advances toward Ingyo's Tomb.

Enemies brace for a fight over the tomb.

Susukida strikes first!  

Seeing that Katsushige's Teppo are unsupported on their left, Osaka Ashigaru spearmen are ordered to advance.  As the Ashigaru close, the Teppo attempt to get off a volley.  Their last-minute volley is ineffective in either stopping or even materially damaging the oncoming enemy.  The Teppo are driven back in the ensuing melee.

Ashigaru go in against Tokugawa Teppo. 

Then leading from the front of his Samurai foot, Susukida charges into Katsushige surrounded by his own body of Samurai foot.  The battle is fierce as warriors drop on both sides but neither willing to yield the bloody ground.  Fighting continues for what seems forever as warriors try to gain an upper hand.  When the tide of battle begins to turn against Susukida and his wavering Samurai, Susukida commits Seppuku in an effort to re-energize his bodyguard to avenge his heroic sacrifice.  Witnessing their brave commander fall, the Osaka Samurai redouble their efforts to throw the enemy back. With the loss of Susukida, the Samurai cannot sway the direction of the fight over Ingyo's Tomb.  It is they that are thrown back!  Susukida Samurai retire in disorder and severely weakened.  Katsushige and his warriors follow up in hot pursuit.  The Osaka Samurai are caught and dispatched with the Tokugawa giving no quarter.  Osaka Samurai lay scattered on the ground everywhere.     

Susukida charges in with his Samurai.

Fighting is brutal.
Susukida sacrifices himself in the fight.

Osaka Samurai yield the ground...

and are cut to pieces as they flee.

Watching as Katsushige chases the remnants of Susukida's Samurai from the field, Tadaaki (in the center) sends his Sonae of three Ashigaru spearmen forward.  While the first attack against the Osaka line is repulsed with heavy losses, the following attack with a body of fresh Ashigaru puts to flight the enemy before it can recover from its recent exertions in repelling the initial attack.  The third attack destroys the Osaka Center.  Even with support, Osaka Teppo are driven back in a series of fighting withdrawals.  Fighting through the woods, the enemy keeps pressing on.  Once pushed out of the covering woods, the Osaka Teppo and their supporting Ashigaru are cut down.  The survivors scatter.  Oh the humanity!  

Tadaaki charges in...

destroying two enemy units!

The situation is looking mighty grim for Sanada and his Osaka Army.  Having cut through both the Osaka Left and Center, only the Osaka Right is left to deal with.  Masamune wastes little time in pushing his Sonae forward.  Targeting Kitigawa's Teppo near Emperor Ojin's Tomb, first Tokugawa Teppo pour devastating fire into the enemy to soften the enemy.  With the enemy already wavering from volley fire, Masamune leads his Samurai horsemen in a charge.  Kitigawa's Teppo manage to retire from the initial contact put are pushed back in disorder.  In pursuit, Masamune cuts the poor Teppo down where they stand.  Few survive.    

Masamune tears into the enemy at Emperor Ojin's tomb.

With much of the Osaka Army either dead on the field or running away, this costly battle is over.

Congratulations to Ray and Dan for leading the Tokugawa Army to a resounding and astonishing victory.  Rarely have I seen such carnage on the tabletop delivered against one side only.  The Butcher's Bill tells the tale.  There is no doubt who the victor is on this day.  Battle was over in 90 minutes with only two turns played!

Butcher's Bill

Ray and Dan were both red hot with their dice throwing in the game with the photos below showing just some of what Lee and Richard faced.  Double 5's and single 6's are hits.  Lee and Richard, on the other hand, had difficulty scoring hits and even more difficulty passing Cohesion Checks.  Such is war.  

What a day and what a battle!

Thank you all for an enjoyable and fast game!  Maybe you fellas would like a rematch?

For Neil, I set the action into Haiku.

Morning mist lingers,

Arrows whisper over tombs,

Silent clash begins.

Katsushige closes,

Teppo volley cuts the air,

Ashigaru charge.

Susukida roars,

Samurai blades sing and clash,

Steel drinks deep of life.

Wounded pride burns bright,

Seppuku, a crimson vow,

Bodyguard fights on.

Yet the tide turns swift,

Osaka yield the sacred ground,

Scattered like autumn leaves.

Tadaaki presses,

Spearmen cleave the center line,

Woods echo with death.

Masamune thunders,

Horsemen storm Ojin's tomb,

Teppo fall like rain.

Two turns, graves run red,

Tokugawa banners rise,

Osaka dreams die.