Tom's Toy Soldiers

Monday, 15 December 2025

Dragon Rampant Campaign - The Valley of Jeff - Game One

Martin and I have embarked on a Dragon Rampant campaign using the campaign rules from the new second edition book.

I was hoping to use my old metal Dark Elves, but got distracted by various things and so have instead opted to use my Orcs. Martin will be taking his Dwarfs.

Martin has created a splendid map of the Valley of Jeff.

Victory for either side moves you closer to your enemy's base. Three points for a win and the first to 15, or the first to capture the enemy capital.

Game one was a pitched battle across the banks of the swift flowing River Jeff

Here's the game in video form:

My photos are unfortunately a little ropy...

I was using magic for the first time in DR2 - a light foot spellcaster with 2 colours of magic, Magenta and Saffron

I also had Elite Foot in the shape of Black Orcs.

A swift recount on turn three made sure I actually only used 6, not 12!

Martin had his armoured Bears (Lesser Warbeasts) to add some muscle

And some Goat Riding cavalry.

The Wild Charging Bears were met by counter-charging Orcs. This did not end well for the Bellicose Foot Orcs.

As the Clan Oakenfinger Dwarfs advanced to the skirl of pipes.

The Orcs and Bears were still going at it.

But the bears mauled them before running into the Black Orcs.

The bears fled, but the Clan Dwarfs continued their advance.

On the waiting Orc Elites

The spellcaster spent most of the battle buffing his fellows furiously.

Disaster struck the Orcs as the chariots failed to charge home

Te Black Orcs met the Clan on the bridge over the River Jeff

With some WD40 the Orcs reduced the moisture in their axels and took the fight back to the Dwarfs.

Barin Oakenfinger and his hearthguard waded into the swirling Jeff - but it was too late - the crossings belonged to Gruzzkupp!

Terrific fun game which ebbed and flowed (like the River Jeff itself).

Plenty of unexpected and unasked for turn endings when the dice deserted us and activations failed helped to keep the action in the balance until the very end.

Additional phone pictures.

The moment the Chariots failed to charge home, handing initiative to Oakenfinger!