Thistlewood - The First Warhammer Scenario

 So the Journey Begins...

Cover by Gary Ward

As is probably apparent from my blog I like to have multiple projects on the go and often have significant gaps between bursts of activity on a project. I came across the Thistlewood scenario in an old White Dwarf  (Issue 45 - September 1983) whilst looking for the Faerie articles in White Dwarf as background reading for my Fae army. As far as I can tell this was the first Warhammer scenario published in White Dwarf and before Tabletop Heroes was introduced (see previous blog article). Written by Joe Dever using Warhammer 1st edition rules. 

A picture of Joe Dever's figures in action
from the WD article. 

The scenario centres around a thief Foro Malas who stole the legendary golden chalice of Landemar  from King Amias. Suitably annoyed, King Amias gives chase with an elite portion of his army. The army catches up with him at Thistlewood but King Amias is not the only one looking for the chalice. So is Lord Vassago, a necromancer of ill repute plus his undead hordes and goblinoid lackeys. So the scene is set with both armies looking for Foro Malas at Thistlewood.

The scenario is set out so that it can be played at three different levels (Skirmish / Engagement  & Mass Battle)  depending on how many figures you have to use.

Before going any further, I must point out that this an attempt to get enough figures on a wargames table as soon as possible using mostly figures I already own to play this scenario. However if you go over to the Broadswords and Beast blog BROADSWORDS AND BEASTS. Springinsfeld has managed to collect all of the miniatures at the mass battle level using only figures available at the time of the article. A great achievement and a really enjoyable read as he charts his progress through a series of articles about collecting and painting these figures from a previous classic age. 

Wight Bodyguard, Ugrash-Ka, Lord Vassago,
N'aarsh & Skeletons

So first up is a quick check of the current collection. I am also happy to make a small number of substitutions. So the ghouls used by Lord Vassago as his bodyguard have been changed to wights (to continue the undead vibe). 

The Forces of Evil 

Character	Numbers	Collection
Lord Vassago	1/1	Marauder Vampire
N’aarsh	1/1	Mighty Zog
Ugrash-Ka	1/1	Dunderling Captain
Wyvern	0/1	TBC?
Trolls	3/3	C20 Trolls
Black Uruks	8/10	Ugezod’s Death Commandos plus support
Vile Rune Orcs	30/40	LotR Orcs plus a few random Uruk-Hai?
Black Sun Goblins	30/40	LotR Goblins
Skeletons	15/20	Skeleton Horde
Ghouls	10/10	Using wights for a suitably undead vibe.
Pack Wolves	18/20	Fae wolves
Total	117/147	80%

Rob