The last rays of the sun illuminated the ruined castle on the mountain ridge. The French troop had just emerged from the dense forest. A pair of rusty and fallen gates blocked their path. The silence was deafening. Beyond them, the soldiers saw a cemetery, overgrown and run-down. The captain ordered two men to clear a path for them into the area. The troop’s mission was to investigate the castle and clarify the rumors that existed about its possible inhabitants.

The soldiers began to lift away the rusty gates that covered the entrance to the cemetery. The sudden sounds shattered the silence. A flock of large black birds flew up from a dead tree. The men’s knuckles turned white as their grips on their muskets tightened. They looked around nervously. The way ahead was now open. Five large graves surrounded by a multitude of small, weathered tombstones were scattered throughout the cemetery. Rotten trees and thorny bushes filled the area.

The troop included a man with knowledge of things none of the other soldiers could even dream of. His dark eyes searched intently over the pages of his worn notebook. He found what he was looking for and in a low voice he told the others to examine the graves before them. Before they could take a step into the cemetery, they heard something. The wind carried the sound of faint voices. A few days earlier, they had observed from a distance a small troop of soldiers carrying the colors of the Austrian Empire. There was only one explanation for why they were here too: the Austrians must be on the same mission as themselves. What had been a slow and methodical search had now become a hunt.

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The Silver Bayonet takes place in an early alternate 19th century. During the brutal Napoleonic Wars, a supernatural evil has manifested itself in the world. It has brought creatures to life: vampires, undead, werewolves, ghosts, pixies and other terrifying monsters. Special units are created by the warring nations and sent out on various missions.

The Silver Bayonet is a skirmish game written by Joseph A. McCollough (creator of Frostgrave and Stargrave, among others), which can be played solo, co-op or against another player. You play on a small area with few figures. The rules are easy to learn and there is not much to keep track of. It is a game where the story is at the center.

During the weekend I will set up a scenario that you can try out. There will be ready-made units to use and I will guide you through the game. Welcome to The Silver Bayonet. One to two players, 40–90 min.

Jonas Anderson