Preparing to "Seize The Outpost"

There was a little bit more preparation required after the first Test Of Honour scenario than I'd anticipated, hence this post before the upcoming AAR.

First of all, there was 'character progression' in the form of "Skills" to be adjudged and awarded using the supplied Skills Deck, which is shuffled and then one card is dealt for each opposing warrior 'cut down' during the battle - these cards are then examined before selecting one which is assigned to the group leader.
(There's a second use of the Skills Deck which will be introduced in the next scenario)
There was only one card to be dealt since only Murayame Tanjiro was cut down, and as a result, Saito Yoshihito gained the "One With Nature" skill which allows him to move through rough terrain without movement penalty.

Next, the second encounter in the Test of Honour "Battle Guide" requires three buildings, which could be represented on the table by the 2D terrain included in the 'starter' box.

Fortunately though, I'd previously acquired the three "Small Minka" (plus their Torii and bridges) from TT Combat when I was accumulating items for the Sengoku Jidai project - so all I had to do was get 'em built and painted after the "First Clash" encounter.

The Test Of Honour rules treat buildings in a simplified way as 'solid obstacles', stating that doors are locked/barricaded to prevent warriors entering. I can accept this abstract use of buildings as 'representative terrain' for mass battle rules, but not skirmish level, so will be allowing access and use of buildings in my games. I don't think I even have to amend the rules to accommodate this, but we'll see!

Finally, I needed to paint up some more minis for second encounter. "First Clash" was played with two equal, predetermined forces and ignored the game's points system. "Seize The Outpost" sees the two opposing samurai meeting again, but this time leading forces selected within a 'recruitment limit' of 15 points. (All warrior and upgrade costs are shown in the top right corner of their cards)
Tanjiro has been recovering from the injuries sustained in the previous encounter, and has kept his Takeda clan warriors from that skirmish, simply adding a unit of Experienced Spearmen and a Sergeant to the roster.

Meanwhile, Yoshihita has allowed one of his individual bowmen leave of absence to visit his family - craftily freeing up 1 point, and recruited a unit of Experienced Bowmen and a unit of experienced Spearmen.

These are Perry and AW miniatures respectively, and saved time assembling multi-part minis from the core set and painting time because they're not wearing sashimono!

So, it's been a busy Bank Holiday weekend regarding work, hobby and social - it was my Mum's 90th birthday on Saturday. I only mention this because I had to give my niece a lift to and from the Caernavon Arms where we had a family gathering meal...........

........ and they have a rather nice "Ship Room", complete with sloping paneled walls and windows!
Now here's the weird bit - when I dropped my niece back at home, I had to walk past a skip in front of a house that's been sold and the new owners are having a clear-out.......

.... and I found this pair of rather beaten up kids toys!
I dunno what they were, but I've got an incling about what they're going to be with a bit of work!
That's a 28mm mini I've posed on the back of the nearest vessel to give an idea of size / scale.

Serendipity, or Cosmic Ordering? I dunno, and will leave it to you to decide.